ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon women's basketball team is among others receiving votes in the latest USA Today ESPN Division II Top 25 released Tuesday afternoon. It marks the Lady Knights' first top-25 votes since the first poll was released on November 25. The squad was also among others receiving votes in the preseason poll.

Northern Kentucky is the top-ranked team in the country with an 11-0 record. The Norse received 26 of the 27 first-place votes and earned 674 points. The University of Alaska Anchorage (13-1) picked up the final first-place vote and garnered 644 points. Washburn (Kan.) (12-1), Stonehill (Mass.) (12-1), and Minnesota State-Mankato (12-0) completed the top five.

West Texas A&M (11-2), Hillsdale (10-1), California (Pa.) (8-2), Tusculum (11-1), and Emporia State (Kan.) (11-2) rounded out the top 10.

Gannon received the 40th-highest vote total, accumulating seven votes. The Lady Knights are 10-1 after a weekend sweep of Kutztown (98-59) and East Stroudsburg (88-56). The squad has won seven consecutive games and is off to its best start since the 2001-02 team started the season 11-1.

Head coach Cleve Wright's squad has out-rebounded its opponent in 13 consecutive games dating back to last season. The Lady Knights conclude Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover play this weekend on the road. Gannon plays Saturday, January 10 at Bloomsburg and Sunday, January 11 at Mansfield. Game time both days is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The complete USA Today ESPN Division II Top 25 can be found at http://www.wbca.org/DIICoachesPoll.asp.