ASHLAND — For the second time in program history, Ashland University’s women’s basketball team is ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II in 10 consecutive Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 Coaches’ Polls.
In the latest poll released on Tuesday (Feb. 21) afternoon, the Eagles (27-0 overall, 19-0 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) also were the unanimous top choice in the country for the fourth week in a row. Ashland is the only undefeated women’s or men’s basketball team in Division II.
Coming into the regular-season finale at Kates Gymnasium on Thursday (Feb. 23) at 5:30 p.m. against Tiffin (6-18, 4-15), the Eagles already have won GLIAC regular-season and South Division championships. They will attempt to become the first team in 50 seasons of Ashland women’s basketball to go through a regular season undefeated, as well as become the first GLIAC women’s hoops team to go 20-0 during the regular conference year.
The latest WBCA poll marks the 23rd time Ashland has been the top-ranked team in Division II. Ashland’s 10 straight No. 1 rankings is the program’s second-longest streak (12, 2012-13). The Eagles are 42-1 (.977) all-time when playing as the No. 1 team in the country.
Ashland has been ranked in the WBCA poll 66 times, has been in the Top 10 in the poll 50 times and has been in the Top 5 on 42 occasions, all since 1995-96. This is the 31st straight poll in which the Eagles have appeared.
Ashland is the lone GLIAC team in the latest WBCA poll.
Following Thursday’s regular-season finale, Ashland will begin 2017 GLIAC Tournament play with a home quarterfinal game on Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. against Walsh (14-12, 10-9). With a win, the Eagles will play host to the tournament Final Four on March 4-5.
Ashland also is the No. 1-ranked team in the first set of Division II Midwest Regional rankings, released on Feb. 15. The second set will be announced on Wednesday (Feb. 22).
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