January 29, 2021 – Bradenton, FL –
On Jan. 26 the second National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) DII Women’s Basketball Top 10 rankings were released, with he first Top 10 was made public on Jan. 12. Although the No. 1 spot remained untouched, the results of recent games rattled every other ranking.
1. Arlington Baptist
To kick of the top of the rankings are the Arlington Baptist Patriots. The team has retained their spot at No. 1 boasting an 11-2 record and are 6-1 in NCCAA games. Although on Jan.15 the Patriots lost to high ranked Champion Christian, Arlington’s most recent games against Dallas Christian College and Southwestern Adventist University were nothing short of impressive with the final scores being 108-58 and 120-38 respectively. This level of success makes an obvious statement toward their No. 1 Their next game will be Jan. 28 against Baptist Bible College.
2. Champion Christian
The Lady Tigers of Champion Christian leaped up three spots in this week’s rankings. Previously ranked No. 4, the Tigers defeated No. 1 ABU in a 78-72 thriller on Jan. 15. Despite a loss to Randall on Jan. 22, Champion Christian has advanced to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the Southwest Region. They play again on Jan. 28 against the Southwest Adventist Knights.
3. Pensacola Christian
Pensacola Christian is on a roll currently with a five-game win streak. They in their last five games they’ve won by an average margin of 11 points making them as competitive. The team did drop from No. 2 to No. 3 in ranking as a result of a upset by Johnson University on Jan. 12. Despite this, The Eagles are looking forward to facing Toccoa Falls College on Saturday Jan. 30.
4. Grace Christian
The women of Grace Christian have play well thus far in the season. Ranked No. 3 in the first ranking of the season the Tigers only fell one spot to No. 4. Their players have been making big plays that have led the Tigers to victory. Most notably, forward Megan George surpassed 1,000 career points against Grace College (Ind.). On Jan. 28 and 29 Grace plays a double header against Welsh College.
5. Johnson FL
It goes without question that in the second NCCAA Top 10 rankings that Johnson made the single biggest jump. On the Jan.12 rankings, the Suns were unranked although they did receive 3 votes. This week they debuted at No. 5. This move comes as a result of the Suns’ 80-76 win against ranked Pensacola Christian and win over ranked Trinity Baptist. Both of those critical wins were earlier losses for the team. The Johnson Suns now stand at 4-2 in conference play. Their next game will be round three versus Trinity Baptist on Feb. 2.
6. Randall
The Saints of Randall University moved four spots from No. 10 to No. 6 this week. Hot on a five-game win streak the Saints are making themselves known. Randall’s notable 70-68 win over Champion who was No.4 ranked. The Saints currently are No. 3 in the NCCAA for Assist/Turnover Ratio showing the Saints strong ball control on the court. Looking ahead, Randall’s next game will be a home game against Baptist Bible (MO) on Jan. 30.
7. Maranatha Baptist
The Maranatha Baptist Sabercats fell one place from No. 6. The Sabercats’ suffered back-to back losses on the road sing the last ranking which contributed to their fall in rankings. The team did win their most recent game against Lincoln Christian 65-43. Callie Morrison and Emily Johnson led the Sabercats’ scoring, ultimately the team accumulated 46 rebounds and 16 assists. The team was expected to play Emmaus Bible on Jan. 26 but the game was postponed. Their next game will be on Friday Jan. 29 against Oak Hills Christian.
8. Barclay
The Bears of Barclay College also fell one spot from No. 7 to No. 8. Despite their fall in rankings the Bear have won their three of their last four games and currently are No. 3 in the NCCAA for scoring, averaging 75.4 points per game and are No. 1 for turnover margin with a margin of 8.38. Barclay’s loss to No. 5 Emmaus Bible played a role in their drop to No. 8 but the Bears are ready to show their potential on Jan. 29 against Calvary University.
9. Trinity Baptist
Trinity Baptist fell from No. 8 to No. 9 in the second round of Top 10 rankings. Th Eagles have hit a rut in the season, losing all four games they’ve played in the new year. They also had one game cancelled due to COVID. The Eagles defense has kept them in the Top 10 rankings for the second time. Despite their recent losses the team is No. 2 in turnover margin with a 6.33 margin and the Eagles are ranked No. 2 in defensive scoring. Moving to Trinity Baptist next game on Jan. 30 against Bob Jones University the Eagles are hoping to make improvements and continue their defensive success.
10. Emmaus Bible
Unfortunately for the Eagles, COVID played a role in their five-spot drop in rankings from No. 5 to No. 10. Since the last ranking on Jan. 12, Emmaus Bible College has had four games cancelled and one game postponed. The only game the Eagles were able to play a 64-55 win over Faith Baptist on Jan.12. As disappointing as their ranking drop is, the Eagles are not down and out and will be ready to be as competitive as ever come Jan. 29 against Trinity International.
Dropped from rankings – Campbellsville Harrodsburg
The only team to fully drop from the Top 10 was Campbellsville Harrodsburg. Previously ranked No. 9, the Lady Pioneers won 73-69 against Welch College on Jan. 16, however since then the team has had a five-game losing streak. Despite their drop, the Pioneers hope to snap this streak on Jan. 27 against the Lions of Johnson University (TN).
The next NCCAA Top 10 rankings will be on Feb. 9 and then the final regular season rankings will be released on Feb. 23 at the start of the post-season.
