Raider Men’s Basketball Chosen as Junior College NABC Team of the Week
January 30, 2018
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (January 30, 2018) – The NABC has named the University of Virginia, Francis Marion University (S.C.), Washington University in St. Louis, Union College (Ky.) and Northwest Florida State College as its Teams of the Week for games played Jan. 22-28.
NJCAA/Two-Year Colleges – Northwest Florida State
Head Coach: Steve DeMeo
Last week, Northwest Florida State cruised past Gulf Coast State 89-63 and Pensacola State, 79-46, improving to 6-0 in conference play with all wins coming by double-digits. Northwest is 23-0 overall, ranked No. 1 in NJCAA Division I, and has an average margin of victory this season of 22 points.
Lady Raider Basketball is currently 19-2 and ranked #3 in NJCAA Division I. Their next games will be Wednesday, January 31, 2018 against Chipola College at Raider Arena in Niceville, Florida. The Lady Raiders will tip at 5:30 p.m. with the Raider Men following at 7:30 p.m.
NCAA Division I – Virginia
Head Coach: Tony Bennett
Virginia earned a pair of ACC wins over ranked opponents last week, improving to 20-1 overall and remaining unbeaten in the conference at 9-0. UVA opened its week on Tuesday against 18th-ranked Clemson, holding the Tigers to just 13 second-half points in a dominant 61-36 win. Then on Saturday, Virginia won a key road showdown at No. 4 Duke, outlasting the Blue Devils 65-63. It marked the program’s first victory at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium since 1995.
NCAA Division II – Francis Marion (S.C.)
Head Coach: Gary Edwards
Francis Marion upset 21st-ranked UNC Pembroke on Wednesday and won at Georgia College on Saturday, improving to 12-6 overall and 7-6 in the Peach Belt Conference. With the victories, FMU surpassed last season’s win total of 11. The Patriots shot 53.3-percent and never trailed in their 90-83 win over UNCP, and forced 23 turnovers in their 74-63 victory against Georgia College.
NCAA Division III – Washington-St. Louis
Head Coach: Mark Edwards
A pair of road wins against ranked opponents moved Wash U into sole possession of first place in the University Athletic Association at 7-0. The Bears opened their week on Friday with a 77-62 victory at No. 22 Rochester, then won at 13th-ranked Emory on Sunday, 84-67. Wash U is now 16-2 overall and has won eight-straight games.
NAIA – Union (Ky.)
Head Coach: Kevin Burton
Union, the defending NAIA Division II national champion, went 2-0 last week, winning 87-85 at No. 25 Montreat on Wednesday before returning home for a 76-73 victory over Truett McConnell on Saturday. The Bulldogs had to overcome a late six-point deficit against Montreat, and held Truett McConnell to just 38.7-percent shooting. Union is now 15-7 overall and 12-3 in the AAC.
For more information about Raider Athletics, contact Rachel Ryan, Athletic Program Assistant at (850) 729-5229 or ryanr3@nwfsc.edu.