KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A first place standing at the midway point of Heart of America Athletic Conference play vaulted MidAmerica Nazarene into its first national ranking of the season when this week's NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll was released.
The Pioneers moved into the polls at #22 for the first time since the 2009-10 preseason poll released on October 26, 2009, coincidentally also at #22. MNU begins the second half of conference play with a one game lead over both Evangel and Avila, hitting the road on Thursday, January 26 to visit Peru State.
A loss to MNU saw Evangel slip out of the poll for the first time this season. The Crusaders are third among others receiving votes, sitting just 21 points out of the #25 slot. Evangel has just one game this week, visiting Benedictine on Saturday afternoon.
Avila has also drawn the attention of the national voting committee as the Eagles garnered votes this week. The hottest team in the conference with a five-game winning streak opens the second half of conference play at home on Thursday against Baker, a team just one game behind them in the standings.
Click here for the entire poll.
