LILBURN, Ga. - Following one of its most successful seasons in program history, Anderson University women's basketball finished No. 24 in the final Women's Basketball Coaches Association Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, announced by the Association on Tuesday.
The Trojans closed the season with a 27-5 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for just the second time since becoming a four-year institution in 1995-96. The 27 victories were the most since the 2007-08 team strung together 28, as the Trojans recorded 20 South Atlantic Conference wins, the most by any team in conference history, en route to their second SAC regular-season title in three seasons.
Anderson makes its first appearance in the WBCA National Poll, after becoming a fixture in the National Media Poll, sponsored by D2SIDA, throughout the season. The Black and Gold land in the final WBCA Poll for the first time since the 2007-08 team finished 19th following their 28-4 campaign.
After opening their NCAA Tournament run with a win over SAC rival Newberry in their fourth meeting with the Wolves this season, the Trojans advanced to the Sweet 16 following an upset win over No. 3 ranked Columbus State, 71-53. Despite its back-to-back wins to open the Tournament, AU saw its season cut down by No. 2 ranked Limestone, dropping to the Saints for the second time this season. Limestone advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four before being eliminated from the postseason by eventual national runner-up, Cal Baptist, 85-67.
The Saints finished third in the national poll, while Columbus State claimed the No. 14 spot following its 31-2 overall record. Wingate, which finished second in the final SAC standings behind Anderson, received votes to round out the national recognition for the Southeast Region.
SAC Coach of the Year, Jimmy Garrity, graduates three seniors from the 2014-15 roster, as SAC Player of the Year, Sierra Simpson, joins the most prolific 3-point shooter in school history, Lesley Woods, and Jaclyn Moore as this season's list of seniors. The Trojans are slated to return three starters from this season's team and a plethora of key reserves for 2015-16.
WBCA NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches'
Poll
1. California (Pa.), 32-4
2. Cal Baptist, 29-7
3. Limestone, 34-2
4. Emporia State, 29-5
5. Lewis, 31-3
6. West Texas A&M, 30-3
7. Nova Southeastern, 27-6
8. Fort Hays State, 30-4
9. New Haven, 26-6
10. Union (Tenn.), 28-4
11. Bloomsburg, 26-5
12. Stonehill, 24-5
13. Alaska-Anchorage, 29-2
14. Columbus State, 31-2
15. Michigan Tech, 28-3
16. Pittsburg State, 27-7
17. Drury, 26-4
18. Wayne State (Neb.), 28-6
19. Adelphi, 28-4
20. Cal State - Pomona, 21-9
21. Wayne State (Mich.), 23-6
22. Ashland, 25-9
23. Indiana (Pa.), 25-4
24. Anderson, 27-5
25. Colorado - Colorado Springs, 26-7
FULL
RANKINGS
