Seven Region XI teams in NJCAA's first 2012 rankings

The junior college basketball teams in the state of Iowa are well represented in the latest NJCAA basketball rankings, the first polls of 2012 were released by the NJCAA on Wednesday.

On the men's side, Indian Hills is No. 2 in Division I as the Warriors are 16-0 - one of only three undefeated squads in NJCAA. Marshalltown Community College makes the trip to Ottumwa this weekend for the Hy-Vee Classic, but will not be facing Indian Hills. The Tigers face a pair of Illinois schools (Kennedy King and Olive Harvey).

In the Division II men's poll, Kirkwood is No. 3, DMACC No. 5 and Iowa Central is receiving votes.

Three state schools are in the Division II women's Top 25.

Iowa Central comes in at No. 3, dropping one spot after Marshalltown claimed a victory on Saturday in Fort Dodge in the Tigers' conference opener.

Southeastern is No. 7 (MCC's opponent Saturday at the Student Activity Center) and Kirkwood No. 14.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School grad Lauren Bengen is averaging 8.2 points per game for Iowa Central and leads the team in 3-point shooting (24-for-65, .369). Bengen matched her career-high with four 3-pointers against Marshalltown last Saturday.

Tara Gray (East Marshall High School) contributes 2.6 points per game for Kirkwood.

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Iowa Community College Athletic Conference

Division II Women's Basketball Standings (After Jan. 10)

Kirkwood 2-0

NIACC 2-0

Marshalltown 1-0

Southeastern 1-0

Iowa Central 1-1

DMACC 1-1

Ellsworth 1-1

Southwestern 0-2

Iowa Lakes 0-4