Feb. 6, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

MOUNTAIN STATE REMAINS NO. 1
Despite getting a scare last week, Mountain State (W.V.) holds on to No. 1 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I Men's Basketball Top 25 Coaches' Poll, announced today (Feb. 6). The Cougars, who have been No. 1 in all seven regular-season polls, were a unanimous choice for the second straight week with 11 first-place nods. MSU survived a 92-85 game against Voorhees (S.C.) last Saturday - the margin of victory tied for the lowest amount all year. Standing at 22-0, the Cougars have won by 10 or more points in 18 of their 22 games.

Nipping at MSU's heels again is No. 2 Georgetown (Ky.) with just 13 points separating the two teams. Since the second poll (six straight), GC has held the No. 2 spot. The Tigers hold the most victories (23) of any Division I team and are one of three undefeated's. No. 3 Lee (Tenn.) is the other undefeated at 20-0 as it moved up one spot from last week. No. 4 Louisiana State-Shreveport slid up one spot as well because of an 85-81 loss by No. 5 Concordia (Calif.) last week at the hands of then-No. 18 California Baptist.

In one of the more impressive poll jumps this week is No. 14 Wayland Baptist (Texas). A road win at then-No. 12 Southern Nazarene (Okla.) propelled the Pioneers eight spots. No. 18 Martin Methodist (Tenn.) is another squad moving up quickly. The RedHawks have won four of their last five games including two over Top 25 opponents.

No. 23 Auburn University Montgomery (Ala.) and No. 25 Columbia (Mo.) are newcomers in the Top 25. Both were in polls No. 4 and 5 but dropped out last week. Park University continued to get votes in the poll, garnering two points despite a loss last Tuesday to Philander Smith.

Brescia also remained in the others receiving category on the women's side.

MARSHALL, McCORKLE EARN INDEPENDENT WEEKLY AWARDS
Mountain State University senior forward Adron Marshall and Allen University freshman forward Shaundrika McCorkle are the NAIA Division I Independent Region Players of the Week.

Marshall averaged 23 points and 8.5 rebounds in two contests last week for MSU, scoring 26 in an Independent Region regular season game against Voorhees. He also had 20 in a win over Northwestern Ohio.

Marshall finished the Voorhees win with two blocks, two steals and five assists, hitting 9-of-14 from the floor to end the week shooting 48.3 percent on 14-of-29.

McCorkle earned Allen's first player of the week honor of the season on either the women's or men's side, going 8-of-16 from the floor with 16 boards in a loss to Emmanuel.

She was also 6-of-12 from the line in the loss, finishing the game with 20 points.

McCorkle will put her talents on display this weekend in the Independent Region Classic at Brescia University. Allen takes on Park on day one, followed by a bout with Brescia Saturday.

Mountain State takes on Independent Region rival Morris on Saturday.