Lady Jackets Slip to No. 4 in West Region Poll (February 5, 2003)

BILLINGS, MT – Despite not playing a game since January 24, the MSU Billings women’s basketball team slipped from No. 3 to No. 4 in the NCAA West Region poll this week.  The Yellowjackets (14-4) had been at No. 3 for the past three weeks.

Western Washington (13-3) jumped over the Yellowjackets after defeating Seattle University on Saturday.  The win over a West Region team gave the Vikings enough points to pass the idle Yellowjackets.

MSU Billings will play at NAIA Rocky Mountain College on Thursday.  The Lady Jackets will then travel to Puerto Rico for three games on February 14, 15 and 16.  Their final West Region games will be played at home on February 22 and 23 against Western New Mexico.  MSUB is currently 11-3 against West Region opponents.  The top eight teams in each of the eight regions qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

NCAA West Region Women’s Basketball Poll (through games of February 2, 2003)

1. Seattle Pacific (18-0)
2. Cal State-Bakersfield (16-1)
3. Western Washington (13-3)
4. Montana State-Billings (14-4)
5. Northwest Nazarene (12-5)
6. Central Washington (10-6)
7. UC-Davis (12-5)
8. Sonoma State (12-5)
9. Cal State-Chico (10-6)
10. Cal State-San Bernardino (11-6)

Next Poll: February 12, 2003