LILBURN, Ga. - The LMU women's basketball team received an early Christmas present Wednesday, Dec. 21, as they moved up to 10th in the latest WBCA/USA Today NCAA Division II Coaches Poll. This is the team's first-ever appearance in the Top 10 in the NCAA Division II Coaches' Poll.

LMU received 369 points to move up from 11th to 10th in the poll. The team also placed ninth in the D2SIDA National Media Poll that was released Tuesday and are ranked first in the D2SIDA Southeast Region Poll released earlier this week. In that poll the Lady Railsplitters earned all six first place votes. They are currently 11-0 on the season and 6-0 in South Atlantic Conference play. Senior forward Megan Pittman (Liberty, Ky.) was named the AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week for her performance in LMU's wins over Wingate and Newberry last week. Ashland holds the top spot in the poll with 597 points and 21 first place votes. California (PA) is second, followed by Pittsburg State, Bellarmine and Emporia State. Rounding out the top ten are Virginia Union, Angelo State, Alaska-Anchorage, Colorado State-Pueblo and LMU. Eight of the top ten teams, including LMU, are undefeated on the season. Other ranked teams from the Southeast Region are Clayton State (22), Columbus State (23) and North Georgia (24). Limestone and fellow SAC member Anderson are receiving votes. The 10th-ranked Lady Railsplitters are off until Jan. 4, when they host Mars Hill in a SAC contest. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. in the Tex Turner Arena.

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