Jan. 8, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

MERIWEATHER EARNS MEN'S HONOR; JENKINS TABBED WOMEN'S POW
Park University junior forward Jon Meriweather and Brescia University senior guard Danielle Jenkins have been named NAIA Division I Independent Basketball players of the week.

Meriweather, a 6-foot-8 junior from Kansas City, Mo., averaged 25.5 points and 13 rebounds in a pair of wins last week for the Pirates, going for 26 in a win over Missouri Baptist at home and 25 more on the road in a seven-point win at Columbia.

Meriweather also blocked four shots on the week and carded an assist, finishing 21-of-36 from the floor (58.3 percent) and 9-for-11 at the foul line, 81.8 percent.

In the win at Columbia, Meriweather played all 40 minutes, finishing 11-of-17 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the line with two blocked shots.

Jenkins, a 5-foot-8 senior from Savannah, Ga., helped Brescia to a pair of wins last week, averaging 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She also had two assists in each win.

Brescia opened ht eweek with a 75-64 win over Cumberland University, as Jenkins had 23 points and seven rebounds, followed by a 16-poit, 12-rebound double-double outing that helped the Bearcats beat McKendree University 66-54.

Both players will receive consideration for NAIA National Player of the Week honors in Division I Men's and Women's Basketball. The NAIA Independent Basketball Player of the Week is awarded each Tuesday, and is voted upon by the association's coaches on performance in games in the previous week.

TOP 25 RETURNS WEDNESDAY
The NAIA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Top 25 Coaches Polls return Wednesday after a three-week lay-off due to the holiday break.

Heading into the break, Division I Independent Mountain State was No. 1 in the men's poll, while Park University was receiving votes. The Pirates received nine points to land at No. 32 in the poll.

On the women's side, Brescia was the only team receiving consideration in the Division I Women's Poll, grabbing 32 points to finish No. 28.

INDEPENDENT CLASSIC FEB. 8-9 IN OWENSBORO
Brescia University will host an Independent men's and women's basketball classic Feb. 8-9 in Owensboro, Ky. Allen University, Voorhees College, Park University and host Brescia will participate in the classic.

Morris College and Mountain State University are the only NAIA Division I Independent schools not participating in the tournament. Both will be in action in regular season games throughout the weekend.