Belmont Receiving AP Top 25 Votes in First Poll of Regular Season

NEW YORK – Following a valiant effort against one of the nation's best Sunday inside the Curb Event Center, the Belmont University women's basketball team is receiving seven votes in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25. In the first national poll of the regular season, the Bruins (1-1) are essentially ranked 30th with the fifth-most votes of teams not in the top 25.
 
Belmont took top-10 ranked Louisville, who is now No. 6 in the AP Top 25, to the brink Sunday and led with under two minutes to go before trailing by only one with 6.4 seconds remaining. On opening night last Wednesday, the Bruins pulled out a gritty come-from-behind home victory against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Belmont trailed by 14 early in the fourth quarter before the Bruins clawed their way back for a 56-54 triumph thanks to clutch free throws from Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week Destinee Wells and graduate guard Sydni Harvey.
 
This weekend, Belmont heads to fourth-ranked Iowa (3-0) during a challenging five-game stretch away from home. The Bruins will also face 24th-ranked Villanova (2-0) next weekend at the highly-competitive Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida (Nov. 25-27), where they may also get a matchup with No. 17 Baylor (2-0).
 
On Saturday, Dec. 17, Belmont heads to Georgia (3-0), who is receiving four votes in the national media poll.
 
Fellow MVC member Drake is receiving a pair of votes in this week's AP Top 25 poll.
 
The Bruins received 14 votes in the preseason AP Top 25 and nine votes in the USA Today Sports/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Coaches Poll. One of the premier mid-major programs in the country, Belmont is ranked No. 6 in the nation in the preseason CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25^®.
 
Ranked 25th in Sports Illustrated's 2022-23 basketball preview edition, the Bruins have either been ranked or received votes in at least one of the two major national polls for eight-straight seasons.
 
In 2021-22, Belmont and BYU were the only two schools in the country who received votes in top-25 coaches polls in men's and women's basketball and baseball during their respective regular seasons.
 
Up Next
The Bruins get their first road test of the season Wednesday evening at Middle Tennessee. Tipoff from the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro is set for 6 p.m. The non-conference road tilt will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
Both single game and season tickets are on sale. Season tickets are only $199 per seat and include all men's and women's basketball home games. Click here to view available seating and purchase your seats.
 
Flex pack plans for the 2022-23 season are also on sale and can be purchased here. For more information, call 615-460-BALL or visit BelmontBruins.com.
 
Follow Belmont women's basketball on social media - @BelmontWBB on Twitter, @belmontwbb on Instagram and Belmont Women's Basketball on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.