91制片鈥檚 77-73 victory over 13th-ranked Sandhills Community College on Feb. 7 in men鈥檚 basketball was the team鈥檚 third win over a nationally ranked opponent this year. Just as noteworthy, it propelled the Gators to their highest ranking ever at No. 14 in Monday鈥檚 weekly poll.
鈥淲e have finally made it in,鈥 coach Chris Moore said of being in the top 15 in NJCAA Division III. 鈥淚t feels good to finally get the recognition we鈥檝e worked hard for.鈥
The NJCAA ranks 15 schools, then has a few listed as 鈥渞eceiving votes.鈥 The Gators have been among the teams receiving votes three times in program history, two of them this season. However, each time their stay lasted just one week.
鈥淲e are just trying to make sure we are consistent and not just appearing and then disappearing, which is what we have seen so far,鈥 Moore said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a good time for us to be ranked, but rankings don鈥檛 get us the goal that we set forth, which is to win the region.鈥
The Gators (16-6 overall) are in first place in Region 10 with a 5-1 record. Camp Community College is second at 4-2, followed by Sandhills Community College (N.C.) at 5-3, Patrick Henry at 2-3 and Tidewater at 0-7.
With Saturday鈥檚 victory, the Gators improved to 3-1 against ranked foes. They are 2-1 against two other teams that have appeared in the polls, although not at the time of the matchups. Sandhills dropped to 15th in Monday鈥檚 poll.
The Gators also defeated Sandhills 83-82 in North Carolina on Jan. 16 when the Flyers were ranked 11th. 91制片鈥檚 other win over a ranked opponent came when it downed eighth-ranked Bunker Hill (Mass.) 97-86 on Nov. 22. The lone loss to a ranked team was 77-74 to No.9 Northern Essex (Mass.) on Nov. 21 in a game 91制片 led by 14 at the half. Northern Essex is fourth in the latest poll.
In addition, the Gators are 1-0 against Monroe University of the Bronx and 1-1 vs. Oxford College of Emory University (Ga.). Monroe is No.12 this week, and Emory has made the 鈥渙thers receiving votes鈥 portion of the poll this season. The Gators beat Monroe 79-68 on Jan. 18 at SafeHaven Empowerment Center. Against Oxford, the Gators won 100-74 in a game played at Sandhills but lost to the Eagles 90-87 in overtime Jan. 8 at home.
The Gators return to action Feb. 11 at Camp Community College. 91制片 won the first matchup 84-51 on Jan. 13 at home. Two days later, they are at Patrick & Henry before returning home Sunday, Feb. 15, to take on Tidewater. The team鈥檚 sophomore players and cheerleaders will be honored at the Feb. 15 game, which will be played at SafeHaven Empowerment Center and is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
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