USC AIKEN SLIPS THREE SPOTS, BUT REMAINS IN TOP 25
LADY PACERS RANKED 23rd, SIXTH-STRAIGHT WEEK IN NATIONAL POLL

AIKEN, S.C.-- Despite a stumble at North Georgia on Saturday, the USC Aiken Lady Pacers (8-2) remained in the top 25 poll, slipping three spots to 23rd in the sixth in-season edition of the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Top 25 Coaches Poll, released Tuesday afternoon.  (PHOTO BY: Scott Webster)

After a nearly five-year absence from the national rankings (December 12, 2002), USC Aiken found their way into the Top 25 in week one of the season and have now appeared in six-straight polls. 

North Dakota retained the top spot in the land for the fourth-straight week with a 15-0 record.  Delta State, Concordia, Washburn, and Valdosta State round out the top five.  USC Aiken garnered 84 points this week. 

In their first action of the New Year, the Lady Pacers traveled to Raleigh, N.C. to knock off previously-ranked Shaw 62-55.  On Saturday, USC Aiken shot nearly 57 percent from the field but could not overcome 49 free throw attempts by the Saints in falling 93-83. 

USC Aiken travels to Florence, S.C. for a key Peach Belt Conference showdown with red-hot Francis Marion on Wednesday, January 9 at 5:30 PM. 

USA TODAY/ESPN/WBCA Division II
Women’s Basketball Top 25 Coaches Poll
January 8, 2008—Poll #6
1. North Dakota (23)
2. Delta State (2)
3. Concordia (Minn.)
4. Washburn
5. Valdosta State
6. Seattle Pacific
7. Alaska Anchorage
8. Drury
9. Indiana (Pa.)
10. Holy Family
11. South Dakota
12. Minnesota State-Mankato
13. Stonehill
14. Franklin Pierce
15. Northern Kentucky
16. Emporia State
17. Southern Connecticut State
T18. CSU-Chico
T18. Texas A&M-Commerce
20. North Georgia
21. UC San Diego
22. Fairmont State
T23. USC Aiken
T23. Missouri Southern State
25. West Texas A&M

Dropped Out: Augustana (S.D.), Clayton State.

Receiving Votes: Augustana 72, Barry 50, Fort Lewis 46, West Georgia 40, Central Washington 37, Bowie State 31, Truman State 30, Augusta State 27, Clayton State 27, Michigan Tech 20, Wayne State (Neb.) 19, Anderson 17, Assumption 17, Sonoma State 15, Francis Marion 14, CSU-San Bernardino 12, Indianapolis 11, Central Oklahoma 9, Arkansas Tech 8, Tampa 8, Bentley 7, Armstrong Atlantic State 5, Lander 4, Ferris State 3, Hillsdale 2, Bryant 1, Nebraska-Kearney 1, Wingate 1