USC AIKEN RANKED SIXTH IN FINAL TOP-25 POLL
PACERS FALL JUST ONE SPOT; SIXTH ENTERING NCAA TOURNEY

AIKEN, S.C. -- In the final NABC/Division II Coaches Poll, released Monday evening, USC Aiken (27-3) fell just one spot to sixth. Winners of 14 of their last 15 after falling in triple-overtime to Clayton State in the championship game of the Peach Belt Tournament, the Pacers will enter the NCAA Tournament ranked sixth nationally. (PHOTO BY: Scott Webster)

The only two undefeated teams in Division II stayed at the top of the poll, but for the first time all season now share the number one spot. Bentley (30-0) remained first, but lost a first-place vote and now with 196 points resides with Grand Valley State (33-0) atop the poll. The two teams received four first-place votes apiece.

Winona State remained in third before Alaska-Anchorage sits in fourth after jumping seven spots from 11th. Northern State finishes out the top five before USC Aiken begins the second five at sixth. Findlay, Benedict, California (Pa.), and Augusta state round out the top 10. ASU stayed put despite falling in the PBC Tournament quarterfinals. USCA received 158 votes this week.

Playing as the top seed and host of the PBC tourney, USC Aiken won a pair of games over Lander (96-64) and North Georgia (88-86) to advance to the championship game. After rallying from 14 points down late in the second half to force overtime, the Pacers fell 89-87 in triple overtime to Clayton State in the finals.

Chris Commons, the Peach Belt’s leading scorer at 22.1 points per game, scored 67 points in the three games and was named to the All-Tournament team. The junior is now just 28 points away from breaking the program’s single-season scoring record.

USC Aiken entered the poll for the first time in the program’s history at 20th on December 4. The Pacers rose to as high as fifth and have now been ranked for 13 consecutive weeks.

Head coach Vince Alexander’s squad will enter the NCAA South Atlantic Regional as the top seed. The Pacers will seek revenge against eighth-seeded Clayton State on Saturday, March 15, at 6:00 PM. Augusta State is serving as the host of the regional, with all games to be played at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

NABC/Division II Coaches Poll
March 10, 2008—Final Poll
T1. Bentley (4 first-place votes).. 196
T1. Grand Valley State (4)........... 196
3. Winona State............................ 184
4. Alaska-Anchorage................... 166
5. Northern State.......................... 163
6. USC Aiken............................... 158
7. Findlay...................................... 154
8. Benedict.................................... 126
9. California, Pa............................. 123
10. Augusta State......................... 107
11. Drury...................................... 102
12. Fort Lewis................................. 91
13. Minnesota State........................ 86
14. Cal State-Bernardino................ 79
15. Tarleton State........................... 76
16. Florida Southern....................... 72
17. North Alabama.......................... 71
18. Gannon..................................... 67
19. NW Missouri State.................... 61
20. Alderson-Broaddus.................. 43
21. Central Oklahoma.................... 42
22. Edinboro................................... 40
23. Mount Olive............................. 37
24. LIU-C.W. Post......................... 32
25. Chaminade.............................. 23