12/6/2007: EOU Debuts Well in Polls

December 6, 2007

In the first regular season NAIA division two national polls, the Eastern Oregon University men's and women's basketball teams find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
The women break into the top 25 at number 23 and the Eastern men debut at number nine, the highest in school history.
The Mountaineer men's recent defeat over former number 11 Oregon Tech (9-2), 88-73, propelled them to a top ten ranking. EOU (8-1) received 142 more votes than the preseason poll with 365 votes, tied with Hastings College of Nebraska (11-0). “It’s nice for our players to receive some recognition. We just hope that we can continue to find ways to improve,” said head coach Ryan Looney on the ranking.
The Cascade Conference is represented well again on the men's side with three schools in the top 15 and one receiving votes. Warner Pacific (4-2) dropped three spots from three to six, EOU at nine, OIT fell from 11 to 14, and Northwest (6-3) is receiving seven votes. Eastern's lone loss came to Westminster (6-2) who debuted at number 14 in the NAIA division one poll after receiving votes in the preseason poll.
The EOU women debut at number 23 after edging out tough competition over the weekend to Southern Oregon (4-2) and Oregon Tech (4-2). Eastern received 102 votes after only getting 54 in the preseason poll.
The Mountie women fought hard last year and finished with a 25-7 record and a 12-game win-streak before the national tournament, only to be rewarded with a number 24 spot and 93 votes. EOU is the only Cascade Conference team in the top 25. Southern received six votes in the new poll.
The women will take their ranking on the road to NCAA division three Linfield (4-0), December 8. The men will host Walla Walla University (3-5) at Quinn Coliseum on December 13. The Eastern Oregon University Athletic Department is offering free general admission with a food donation. This will be the only chance to see Eastern Oregon during the Christmas break.
The Athletic Department, in conjunction with Neighbor to Neighbor Ministries, will accept non-perishable food items in exchange for the price of general admission. General admission for this contest will be half price without a donation. Eastern Athletics is encouraging all fans to bring at least one donation to help raise the levels at the food bank.
The next NAIA poll will be released December 12, and then almost a month off before the next poll is released on January 9, 2008.