January 21, 2008

The Greenville College women's basketball team improved to 5-1 in conference play with key victories versus Webster University (65-38) and Principia College (70-48) last week. Meredith Banal scored 34 points combined in the two games, including a game-high 24 points versus Principia. Teammate Natalie Lappe added 15 assists for the week, with 10 assists versus Webster, and is leading the SLIAC in assists per game with 5.29. Maryville University's women's squad remained undefeated in conference play after defeating Fontbonne University and MacMurray College. The Saints extended their regular season conference win streak to 66 games and stand just six games shy from tying the all-time Division III streak.

In other women's action, Eureka College recorded a big 55-44 win versus Webster. The Red Devils were led by Brittany Gardner with 19 points. Blackburn College also recorded a key road win with an 80-79 victory at Westminster College. Sierra Shipley and Lovie McClom scored 26 and 20 points respectively to lead the Beavers to their third conference win.

Maryville was the lone team to be ranked in the Top 20 in last week's NCAA Division III statistical rankings. The Saints ranked seventh in Steals per Game (15.8), 12th in Scoring Offense (77.6) and 14th in Three-Point Field Goals per Game (7.0). Individually, Westminster's Ashley Stanfill ranked first in Field Goal Percentage (70.8), Eureka's Nicole Fisher ranked eighth in Rebounds per Game (13.3), and MacMurray's Abby Lowe and Maryville's Kim Douglas ranked 16th and 18th respectively in Three-Point Field Goal Percentage (44.0 and 43.3).

Westminster's and Webster's men's squads both survived tough battles last week to remain undefeated in conference play. The Blue Jays defeated Blackburn 58-57, while Webster defeated Eureka 66-63. Fontbonne, while not undefeated, also came away with a close victory, 60-57, on the road at Maryville.

Eureka defeated MacMurray 91-87 in double overtime to pick up their third conference win. Mark Darnall recorded 30 points in the victory. Greenville also tallied their third conference victory with a 68-65 win on the road at Principia.

Two men's teams were ranked in the Top 20 in last week's NCAA Division III statistical rankings. Westminster was ranked first in Turnovers per Game (9.5) and 10th in Personal Fouls per Game (14.4), and Greenville was ranked 20th in Steals per Game (11.8). Individually, Greenville's Christopher Simmons was ranked 12th in Steals per Game (3.1).