KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Bethel (Tenn.) has climbed to the top of the latest NAIA Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Poll for the first time in program history, earning 14 first-place votes and 534 points after starting the season 13-0.
The Wildcats jumped one spot from No. 2 to No. 1, overtaking Dordt (Iowa), which now sits at No. 2 with four first-place votes and 510 points following a 10-1 start. Campbellsville (Ky.) remains steady at No. 3 with a perfect 13-0 record and one first-place vote, while Dakota State (S.D.) and Marian (Ind.) round out the top five at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.
Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) continues its unbeaten run at 12-0 and moves up to No. 6, while Saint Francis (Ind.) drops one spot to No. 7 despite a strong 9-1 record. Rio Grande (Ohio) makes the biggest jump in the top 10, climbing five spots to No. 8 after a 9-1 start. Concordia (Neb.) holds firm at No. 9, and Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) surges four spots to No. 10 following a key conference win. Other notable movers include Montana Tech, which leaps 11 spots to No. 14, and Cumberlands (Ky.), up six spots to No. 12, while Huntington (Ind.) and Mid-America Christian (Okla.) join the Top 25 this week.
Games prior to next poll: Dec. 18 Grand View (Iowa), Jan. 3 Tennessee Southern, Jan. 5 Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.), Jan. 10 Georgetown (Ky.)
Notes: The Lady Wildcats are off to a flawless start this season, boasting a perfect 13-0 record and riding a 13-game winning streak. The Wildcats have been dominant both at home and on the road, going 6-0 in McKenzie and 4-0 away from home, with three neutral-site wins to round out their resume. Recent victories include a 70-45 win at Fisk (Tenn.) and a 73-56 road triumph over Faulkner (Ala.), where Bethel shot an impressive 55.1% from the field and 53.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the charge is Micah Hart, who has poured in 228 points while shooting 53.8% from the floor and an outstanding 88.4% at the free-throw line this season. Mikee Buchanan isn’t far behind with 215 points and a team-best 44.3% from three-point range, while Adalyn Koelling adds balance inside with 58.2% shooting.
Bethel plays host to Grand View at 1 p.m. Thursday.