DURANGO, Colo. - After being ranked No. 22 in the preseason Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Poll last week, Anderson University women's basketball was slotted third in the Preseason Southeast Region Media Poll, sponsored by D2SIDA, announced by the regional committee on Thursday.
The Trojans stunned the college basketball landscape on Sunday when they knocked off Division I opponent Clemson, 79-55, on Sunday at the Abney Athletic Center. The victory marked AU's first Division I exhibition win since the 2012-13 season when the Black and Gold defeated the Tigers, 72-65, at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Anderson is the highest rated team from the South Atlantic Conference and is one of five teams from the SAC to reach the top-10. Wingate landed in the fifth position, while Catawba claimed the No.6 spot. Newberry, which squared off with AU in the SAC Championship game and later in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, was placed eighth, while Carson-Newman drew even with Belmont Abbey for the 10th position to round out the SAC contingent.
Limestone, which eliminated AU from the postseason and advanced to the Final Four a season ago, earned the top spot, while defending Peach Belt Conference champion, Columbus State, finished just ahead of the Trojans in the second spot. Lander finished fourth, while Armstrong State landed ninth to close out the PBC representatives.
The Women's Basketball Division II Media Poll, sponsored by D2SIDA, is in its second year of existence. The regional poll will be released every Monday, followed by the national poll every Tuesday. Each region has six representatives that comprise the regional poll. The national poll has 16 voters - 2 from each region.
Anderson continues its preseason on Sunday when it heads to Western Carolina for its second exhibition against a Division I opponent. Tip-off from Cullowhee is scheduled for 2 p.m.
