The final NJCAA DII Rankings for the 2016-17 season were released on Tuesday, March 7, and Southwestern remains in the top spot for a second straight week and sixth week this season.  The Spartans were preseason #11 but have spent every regular season poll in the top five in the country.

Postseason play started with a Region XI Quarterfinal victory over Little Priest Tribal College by a score of 137-85 Tuesday night in Creston.  The Spartans never trailed in the game but the lead dipped to single digits late in the first half before a surge put Southwestern ahead 52-36 at intermission.  The starting unit used their only four minutes of the second half to blow the game out as Southwestern rolled to a big victory.

Calvin Chambers (pictured) led the offense with 20 points while six others scored in double figures.  Nate Lee and Antonio Williams highlighted that group with 14 and 12 respectively off the bench.

Up next for the Spartans, is the #4 seed Ellsworth Panthers who defeated #5 DMACC by a score of 75-60.  Southwestern won both regular season matchups with scores of 93-57 and 81-61. 

"In March you can wipe out the regular season scores," said Spartan Head Coach Todd Lorensen.  "We know they will be prepared and ready to play Thursday night."

Tipoff is at 7 p.m.