Women's Basketball Ranked 24th In NAIA-I Preseason Poll

For Release: (Immediately: Oct. 29, 2009)

Springfield, MO — The Evangel University women’s basketball team will start the season ranked 24th in the nation in the NAIA Division I. The women’s basketball preseason coaches’ poll was announced earlier this week by the NAIA.

Evangel finished the season 21-11 last year and went 17-3 while winning the Heart of America conference regular season title.

The ranking marks the first time Evangel women’s basketball has ever been ranked at the NAIA Division I level. The Crusaders moved to NAIA-I last year after competing at the NAIA-II level since 1991-92.

The Lady Crusaders open the season at home on Monday, Nov. 9 against Southern Nazarene (Okla.) who is ranked #15 in the same preseason poll.

A complete listing of the NAIA-I women’s basketball preseason poll can be found here:

http://naia.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/102609aac.html

For additional information, contact:

Kevin Kennedy, Evangel University Athletics, (417) 865-2815, ext. 7260