JC men jump into poll ahead of big showdown

All four teams that step on the court on Friday night at the Civic Center will be ranked.

Following road wins over Minot State and Dickinson State last week, the Dakota Athletic Conference-leading Jamestown College men jumped back into the NAIA top 25 at No. 21 this week.

The Jimmies (7-2 DAC, 18-5 overall) hold a half-game lead over ninth-ranked Black Hills State (6-2, 17-5), but has dropped back-to-back home games. The Yellow Jackets were the preseason favorite to win the league, while the Jimmies were picked second. Black Hills State won the first meeting between the two teams 81-70 Jan. 3 in Spearfish, S.D.

The Jimmies have won five in a row and 13 of their last 15 games. They opened the season at No. 22 in the initial top 25, but fell out shortly after.

The women’s game will also feature two ranked teams.

The Black Hills State women are ranked No. 5 and have yet to lose a DAC game at 8-0. They’re 18-3 overall, but the Jimmies made them work for it Jan. 3 in an entertaining 91-87 shootout in Spearfish.

The Jimmies (6-3, 16-5) are alone in second in the DAC, one game up on Valley City State (5-4, 15-8) and Minot State (5-4, 14-6).

Jamestown College dropped three spots in the poll to No. 24.

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