For the first time since 2000-01, Hope International University's Men's Basketball team is ranked as one of the Top 25 division one teams by the NAIA. Sitting at #16, the Royals are currently on a 13 game win streak with a season record of 18-1 (3-0 GSAC). They've also been ranked #7 by the NCCAA.

The rankings come on the heels of another milestone for HIU. On Saturday, Jan. 12, the Royals defeated the defending NAIA champions (and then #15) Concordia University, also for the first time since the 2000-01 season.  This week Concordia fell out of the NAIA Top 25 and HIU took down NAIA #26 Arizona Christian University, increasing their overall wins to 18, a season high since joining the GSAC in 1999-00.

For his on-court performance in helping lead the Royals on their impressive win streak, Junior Jeremy Kilgore was named GSAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week on Monday, Jan. 14. Kilgore is currently averaging 14.2 points per game and scored a career high 28 points against Concordia. For his performance in the classroom, Kilgore was also named NCCAA Student-Athlete of the Week.

In a recent interview, Kilgore commented on the Royals' attitude toward their record making season saying, "Everyone on team is focused and we are coming to play.  We pride ourselves on our defense- to be the best we can.  We just play non-selfish basketball to do whatever it takes to get a win- no matter who scores."

Last season, the Royals earned a spot in the NCCAA National Tournament and defeated defending champions Dallas Baptist University before eventually finishing the tournament in fourth. HIU also competed in the NCCAA Western Regional Finals and beat the tournament's number one seed, California Baptist University (CBU), before coming in second to The Master's College. The win against CBU was the first time the Royals had ever defeated the Lancers in men's basketball.

Next up for the Royals is the only other undefeated GSAC team, Westmont College, who they face on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Santa Barbara. Learn more about our Royals at www.hiuroyals.com.

To learn more, please visit the Hope International University website at http://www.hiu.edu or contact Katie Gladding, Director of Marketing, at 714-879-3901, x2692.