Women's Basketball Picked Fifth in MIAA

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Pittsburg State women's basketball team was picked to finished fifth in the MIAA by both the league's coaches and media representing each of the league schools.

The Gorillas were picked behind Central Missouri, Emporia State, Washburn and Fort Hays State in both polls. Emporia State was picked first in the coaches' poll and Central Missouri was picked first in the media poll. There was only 40 points separating first and fifth places in the coaches poll.

"Emporia State deserves to be picked that high with strong regional finishes each of the last two seasons," Pittsburg State head coach Lane Lord said. "I really feel like Central Missouri is the team to beat. They return a strong core and will probably have the stongest starting lineup one through five. Washburn was picked where they are because they are a well coached team that is always tough. Fort Hays State is an up and coming team that has one of the best forwards in the league."

"We hope for a stronger finish than fifth for our team," Lord continued. "We return the league's leading scorer from last season and a strong core of veteran players that knows how to succeed. I feel great about our team this year. We know that in the MIAA every game is going to be tough. Every game has the potential to be decided by one or two points. The final standings will all come down to who has the best veteran leadership and who is the toughest on the court."

The two teams who battled it out in the conference tournament championship last season each earned a first place spot in this year's polls. Emporia State, who won the tournament championship last season, earned eight first place votes and sits atop the coaches poll. Central Missouri, who played ESU in the championship game, earned 13 first place votes from the media to sit atop that poll.

Washburn, who won the regular season conference championship, got one first place vote from the coaches and six from the media as they are picked to finish third in both polls. Fort Hays State is picked to finish fourth in both polls with one first place vote from the media as Pittsburg State is prognosticated to come in fifth. Northeastern State earned the sixth place spot in both polls after making it to Kansas City last season.

Both polls continued to remain the same as Northwest Missouri is picked seventh in the each poll and Missouri Western is picked to finish eighth. Missouri Southern holds onto the ninth spot in both polls as Southwest Baptist was picked 10th in each poll. Central Oklahoma earned the #11 spot in both polls.

Lincoln holds the 12th spot for both the coaches and the media entering the 2013-14 campaign. The final twist comes in the 13th and 14th spots as the coaches picked Lindenwood 13th and Nebraska-Kearney 14th and the media flip flopped those two slots.

Complete polls are included below. The Gorillas open to 2013-14 season with an exhibition game at Division I Nebraska on Sunday at 2 p.m.

2013-14 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Emporia State (8)        164
2. Central Missouri (5)     158
3. Washburn (1)               143
4. Fort Hays State            130
5. Pittsburg State              124
6. Northeastern State        101
7. Northwest Missouri         94
8. Missouri Western            90
9. Missouri Southern           72
10. Southwest Baptist         66
11. Central Oklahoma         49
12. Lincoln                          36
13. Lindenwood                  28
14. Nebraska-Kearney     19

2013-14 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Central Missouri (13)     359
2. Emporia State (7)          338
3. Washburn (6)                 312
4. Fort Hays State (1)        293
5. Pittsburg State              269
6. Northeastern State       267
7. Northwest Missouri      201
8. Missouri Western        187
9. Missouri Southern     171
10. Southwest Baptist 128
11. Central Oklahoma    101
12. Lincoln                        85
13. Nebraska-Kearney    75
14. Lindenwood               49

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Women's Basketball Picked Fifth in MIAA