WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Apprentice School women’s basketball team had three players record double-doubles in a 56-37 win over Trinity Thursday night.

The Builders, ranked 4th in the latest USCAA women’s basketball poll, jumped out to a 19-2 lead in the first eight minutes of the game and never looked back. Apprentice stretched its lead to as many as 26 points late before the Tigers clawed back to make it a 19-point game.

Jada Eleby led all scorers with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Ashawnti Williams had 11 points and 15 boards, while Jada Bryant was two assists shy of a triple-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Nyla Jackson added 12 points to finish in double figures as well.

The Builders will turn around tomorrow for a rematch with Virginia Union on the road. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

Story and image courtesy Walker McCrary/gobuilders.com

The first basketball polls of the year are out in the USCAA, and the New South Conference is well represented as the Apprentice men’s and women’s teams as well as the Atlantis men are in the top 5 of their respective polls.

The Apprentice women crack the season-opening rankings at number four. The Lady Builders fell to eventual champion D’Youville in the national semifinals last year 75-48. Maine-Fort Kent is number one, followed by Bryant & Stratton Syracuse, Bryant & Stratton Buffalo, Apprentice, and Paul Quinn College.

The Apprentice men have garnered the number 2 national ranking, trailing only Bryant & Stratton Syracuse. Head coach Evan Kee is pleased with the recognition and says he’s looking forward to returning to Petersburg, Virginia, the site of the USCAA Small College Championships.

“We are thrilled that our strong start to the season has led to an early season #2 ranking,” said Kee. “We’ve played a challenging opening schedule and we are happy to have come out with some convincing wins. We understand that the only poll that truly matters is the final one, which will be the crowned national champion. We hope to be in position to finish the season number one in the country and to cut down nets at Virginia State University.”

The Builders are picking up where they left off last season when they went undefeated in conference play, won the NSAC tournament title, and advanced to the USCAA semifinals before falling to Bryant & Stratton Buffalo 77-75.

Atlantis comes into the poll ranked number 4. The new NSAC member also appeared in the national tournament last season in its first year of eligibility, but fell victim to B&S Buffalo in the opening round 73-64.

B&S Buffalo is at number three. Salem University, last year’s national champion, rounds out the top 5.