Women's Basketball
Women's Hoops Move Up to Sixth Slot in National Rankings
UNION, N.J. (2/5/08) - The Kean University women's basketball poll moved up in the national rankings following a pair of victories in New Jersey Athletic Conference action last week.
In both the USA Today ESPN Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll and D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll, the Cougars moved up one spot to sixth after a 2-0 week that saw the Cougars defeat Rowan University (89-64) and Ramapo College (91-36) in NJAC action.
In the most recent NCAA statistical rankings, the team and several Cougars players are ranked in numerous categories. As a team, Kean is ranked first in the nation in scoring offense (87.0) and rebound margin (15.8), while ranking second in scoring margin (31.9), fourth in steals (16.7), tied for fourth in winning percentage (.950), and 11th in assists (17.4).
The Cougars are also 15th in blocked shots per game (5.2), 18th in field goal percentage (.446), 29th in field goal percentage defense (.338), 52nd in scoring defense (55.1), 57th in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.86), 66th in three-point field goals made per game (5.8) and 71st in three-point field goal percentage (.334).
Individually, senior center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) is ranked third in rebounds per game (15.0) and her 1,368 career rebounds are currently sixth all-time in NCAA Division III history and are just nine rebounds shy of moving into fifth place all-time.
The 2006-07 NCAA Division III leader in three point field goals made, junior guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) is currently eighth in the category this season (3.0), while also ranking 56th in three-point field goal percentage (.366) and 49th in scoring (17.7).
Junior guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) is ranked in a pair of categories, currently seventh in assists per game and 24th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.94).
The Cougars look for their 20th win of the season on Wednesday, February 6th, when they host Rutgers-Camden in NJAC action at 6 p.m.