FHSU Sports Information
Fort Hays State Women’s Basketball moved up one spot to No. 9 in the third version of the NCAA Central Region rankings, released Wednesday (March 5).  Eight teams are selected to play in the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament at the end of the season, but automatic bids are given to teams that win conference postseason tournaments.

The Tigers (20-7, 12-7 MIAA), ranked 10th in the previous two rankings, filled the ninth spot, previously held by Minot State (which dropped out of the rankings).  FHSU is 16-7 against NCAA Divison II teams – with all matchups coming against regional opponents.

At the top of the poll, Harding and Emporia State swapped first and second positions, as Central Missouri, Wayne State (Neb.) and PIttsburg State rounded out the top 5.  NSIC teams Minnesota State, Northern State and Concordia-St. Paul (which won the NSIC Tournament) are slotted sixth through eighth.  CSP earned an automatic bid to the regional tournament with the postseason title.  MIAA foe Missouri Southern re-entered the rankings at No. 10 after falling out last week.

FHSU and MSSU square off in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament on Thursday, March 6 in Kansas City, Mo.

Eight teams will be selected to the NCAA Tournament from the region, but three automatic bids will be at stake from the MIAA, NSIC, and GAC. Teams outside the top 10 of the region rankings could steal a bid to the tournament by winning their conference tournament.

Rank	Team	In-Region	DII Record
1	Harding	24-1	26-1
2	Emporia State	20-3	22-3
3	Central Missouri	20-3	22-3
4	Wayne State (Neb.)	24-4	25-4
5	Pittsburg State	21-4	22-6
6	Minnesota State-Mankato	20-5	22-5
7	Northern State	21-5	21-5
8	Concordia-St. Paul	21-8	22-8
9	Fort Hays State	16-7	16-7
10	Missouri Southern	16-7	16-7