Press Release

January 25, 2007

Womens Hoops Nabs No. 8 Spot in Regional Ranking

INDIANAPOLIS - The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team placed No. 8 in the first release of the 2006-07 South Central Region rankings, released late Wednesday. Four Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) teams are ranked ahead of the Bearcats as rival Missouri Western grabs the No. 1 seed. Washburn is ranked No. 2, Emporia State No. 4 and Central Missouri No. 5.

The Bearcats dropped a game to No. 4 Emporia State (11th nationally) last night, 89-66, but will host the Lady Hornets Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m. in an attempt for revenge.

The top eight teams in each of the eight regions advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament that takes place March 9-10, 12. The No. 1 seed will host the regional tournament.

Four Lone-Star Conference (LSC) schools and one Heartland Conference (HC) school complimented the five MIAA schools.

Northwest is 1-4 versus the regionally ranked opponents beating No. 10 Montana-State Billings 95-82 on Nov. 30.

The Bearcats will host Southwest Baptist this Saturday, Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. Northwest won the first meeting at Bolivar, Mo. 93-83 in overtime.