FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team placed seventh in the most recent NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings, which would clinch the Falcons a berth in the NCAA Division II tournament if the season ended today.

The top eight teams from each region advance to the NCAA Division II tournament at the end of the season. The Falcons (15-8 overall, 8-6 in Peach Belt Conference) were ranked seventh in the region standings last season when they received a berth in the tournament and advanced to the NCAA Southeast Region final.

The Falcons are one of seven teams from the Peach Belt Conference ranked in the top 10 in the Southeast Region rankings. Augusta State University is ranked second, Georgia Southwestern State University is third, Clayton State University is sixth, Montevallo is seventh, Georgia College and State University is eighth, USC-Aiken is ninth and Armstrong Atlantic State University is 10th in region standings.

The number one team in the Southeast Region rankings is Lincoln Memorial University, which was 22-0 when the rankings came out. The Railsplitters lost Feb. 16 to Brevard College, which is just 11-11 on the season, and the defeat could shake up the next round of rankings.

Montevallo is currently tied for second in the Peach Belt Conference West Division. The top four teams in the West Division advance to the PBC tournament, with the top two teams earning a home game in the first round. Montevallo currently sits just two games behind first-place Georgia Southwestern State University with three games to play.

Montevallo, Clayton State and Georgia College and State are all tied for second with 8-6 records. The Falcons travel to Clayton State on Feb. 19 and then host Georgia College and State on Feb. 23 with a chance to solidify their second-place spot or even move into the division lead.

Montevallo’s final game will be against Columbus State on the road Feb. 26. Columbus State is currently fourth in the West Division and just one game back of second place.