INDIANAPOLIS – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team is ranked ninth in the latest NCAA Division II Central Region Rankings, released Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 28). This is the Tigers’ first appearance in the regional rankings this season.

Eight teams in the region will earn the right to play in the NCAA Championship, with the bracket set to be released Sunday evening (March 4). The winners of the MIAA and GAC Tournaments will join Augustana, NSIC champions, with an automatic bid into the national tournament. The next five teams in the final region rankings will receive an at-large bid into the tournament.

Fort Hays State is one of five MIAA programs listed in this week’s regional top 10 list. The NSIC has three teams represented, while the final two teams are from the Great American Conference.

The Tigers will open play in the MIAA Tournament Thursday (March 1) at noon against Emporia State.

The full Central Region rankings from February 28, 2018 can be found below.

Rank Team Overall DII Record In-Region Record
1. Central Missouri 22-2 22-2
2. Southwestern Oklahoma State 25-3 25-3
3. Augustana 24-3 22-3
4. Northern State 24-5 24-5
5. Pittsburg State 21-6 21-6
6. Central Oklahoma 22-6 22-6
7. Minnesota State-Moorhead 23-5 21-5
8. Arkansas Tech 23-3 23-3
9. Fort Hays State 19-5 19-5
10. Nebraska-Kearney 17-6 17-6