Missouri Western women’s basketball is receiving votes in the most recent USA Today Sports Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll released Tuesday afternoon.

The Griffons are off to their best start since opening the 2004-2005 season with seven consecutive victories on its way to a 20-9 overall record.

The Griffons (4-0) opened the 2012-13 campaign with wins over Division I opponent Missouri-Kansas City (68-51), #7 Metro State University (66-55), Illinois-Springfield (57-54) and Maryville University (Mo.) (74-68). Three of the four victories were on the road.

MWSU received 22 votes this week and this is the first poll the Griffons have received votes or been ranked since the final poll of the 2006-2007 season where they were 9th. Unfortunatly all the victories during that season were vacated due to NCAA violations.

Missouri Western is one of 13 teams from the Central Region to receive mention in the poll joining No. 3 Pittsburg State, No. 10 Wayne State (Neb.), No. 12 Augustana (S.D.), No. 13 Washburn (Kan.) and No. 20 Emporia State (Kan.),  while Northeastern State (Okla.), Arkansas Tech, Central Missouri, Fort Hays State (Kan.), Minnesota State-Mankato, Minnesota-Duluth and Harding (Ark.) are receiving votes.

The Griffons hit the road this weekend to take part in the Lincoln Thanksgiving Classic in Jefferson City, Mo. MWSU will play two MIAA opponents in non-conference action with their first game coming on Friday, November 23 against Truman State at 5:00 pm. The Griffons take on host school Lincoln on Saturday, November 24 at 4:00 pm. Both games are in Jason Gym on the campus of Lincoln University.

— MWSU Sports Information —