Pioneers named NABC Team of the Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hofstra University, West Texas A&M University, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Ave Maria University and Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College have been named the NABC Teams of the Week for games played Jan. 14-20. 

NCAA Division I – Hofstra

Head Coach: Joe Mihalich 

Hofstra won a pair of CAA games last week to extend its winning streak to 14-straight games – the longest current streak in Division I. The Pride opened the week on Thursday by outscoring UNCW by 16 points in the second half en route to an 87-72 victory. Then on Saturday, Hofstra shot 62-percent in an 86-72 win over Charleston. Hofstra is now 17-3 overall, and its 7-0 CAA record is the program's best-ever start in the conference. 

NCAA Division II – West Texas A&M

Head Coach: Tom Brown 

West Texas A&M went 2-0 last week to improve to 18-3 overall and 7-1 in the Lone Star Conference. On Thursday, the Buffs used a dominant second half to beat 20^th-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce 87-66. A&M followed that performance with an 83-71 win over Tarleton on Saturday – a game that saw the Buffs connect on 17 three-pointers. West Texas A&M improved to 8-1 in its last nine games. 

NCAA Division III – Wisconsin-Platteville

Head Coach: Jeff Gard 

Wisconsin-Platteville claimed a pair of WIAC wins last week, defeating Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Wednesday before upsetting No. 9 Wisconsin-Stevens Point on the road on Saturday. The Pioneers jumped out to a 23-point halftime lead in their 81-62 win over Eau Claire, and then got a game-winning tip dunk from senior Clay Gerds with 2.2 second remaining to beat Stevens Point 61-60. Platteville is now 11-6 overall and 4-2 in league games this season. 

NAIA – Ave Maria

Head Coach: John Lamanna 

Ave Maria won two games in The Sun Conference last week, improving to 14-7 overall and 7-4 in league play. The Gyrenes opened the week with a thrilling 100-97 double overtime victory at Webber on Thursday, and then on Saturday defeated 22^nd-ranked Warner 91-82. Ave Maria hit 14 threes in both games and forced a combined 27 turnovers in the two wins. 

NJCAA/Two-Year Colleges – Coffeyville

Head Coach: Jay Herkelman 

Coffeyville went a perfect 3-0 last week, winning three KJCCC games by an average of 26 points. The Ravens got their impressive week started on Monday with a 90-60 victory over Cowley County, followed by a 99-85 road win over Cloud County on Wednesday. Coffeyville finished the week by scoring 63 first-half points and shooting 58.6-percent overall in a 105-71 victory against Allen County on Saturday. The Ravens are now 19-2 overall and 10-1 in conference play this season.

NABC Teams of the Week: Jan. 14-20