Lenoir-Rhyne Tops First Women’s Basketball Region Poll

INDIANAPOLIS -- Lenoir-Rhyne University tops the first NCAA Division II Southeast Region poll from the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Committee. Four other South Atlantic Conference teams are ranked in the poll including Carson-Newman, Tusculum, Newberry, and Wingate.

The Bears lead the way with a 17-2 overall record after their most recent win again league foe Wingate. They are tied for first place in league play with Tusculum with matching 7-1 records.

Carson-Newman and their 14-5 record are ranked third in the poll while being fourth in c333onference play with a 5-3 record. The Lady Eagles remain undefeated at home with nine wins.

Tusculum is fourth in the poll with a 17-2 overall record with recent wins against Wingate and Mars Hill. The Pioneers remain undefeated at home with nine wins.

At 13-6, Newberry comes in seventh in the poll with recent wins against Catawba and Brevard and holds a 6-2 record in league play.

Wingate is ranked ninth in the poll with a 12-7 overall record.

The five South Atlantic Conference teams are the most from any conference in the region. The Peach Belt has four teams in the poll, while the Conference Carolinas has one team.

Eight teams from the region, including an automatic qualifier from each conference, will advance to the NCAA Tournament in March.

Southeast Region

Division II Division II
Overall Record In-Region Record
1. Lenoir-Rhyne 16-2 14-2
2. Francis Marion 12-1 12-1
3. Carson-Newman 12-4 12-3
4. Tusculum 16-2 14-2
5. S.C. Aiken 14-4 12-4
6. Clayton St. 11-4 11-4
7. Newberry 11-5 11-5
8. Georgia College 9-5 9-5
9. Wingate 12-6 12-6
10. Mount Olive 12-3 12-3