Clayton State ranked second nationally in Division II for fifth straight week

MORROW, Ga. --- JANUARY 16, 2007 --- The NABC Division II Top 25 Coach’s Poll for men’s basketball was released on Tuesday, and the Clayton State Lakers continue to stand near the top of the rankings.

For the fifth straight week, Clayton State is ranked second in the nation in Division II, according to the NABC Division II Top 25 Coach’s Poll heading into Wednesday’s Peach Belt Conference road showdown at arch-rival Columbus State. The undefeated Lakers (15-0, 4-0 PBC) received 192 points, eight points behind top-ranked and defending Division II national champion Winona State.

Central Missouri and Bentley held firm to its third and fourth spots, respectively, but after that came a complete change to the Top 10. The first change comes at No. 5, where Southern Indiana’s overtime defeat at Quincy on Saturday allowed Minnesota State to move up to fifth. Four other teams – Findlay, Emporia State, Grand Valley State and Quincy – all moved past Southern Indiana in the poll as the Eagles fell from fifth to 10^th.

Clayton State is one of two teams ranked in the Top 25 from the Peach Belt Conference. Armstrong Atlantic fell one spot from 20^th to 21^st after its overtime defeat last week to the Lakers.

Clayton State’s showdown at Columbus State is set for Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Columbus State’s Lumpkin Center.