SEATTLE (Dec. 12) -- For the first time in the 25-year existence of women's basketball at Seattle Pacific University, the Falcons have cracked the top five nationally.

Seattle Pacific is ranked No. 4 in this week's NCAA Division II coaches poll, an improvement of two spots over its previous best, equaled last week. The Falcons (7-0) have won by an average margin of 29.3 points and are now idle until visiting Lewis-Clark State Dec. 20. North Dakota State, which SPU defeated Nov. 22, is No. 7.

Missouri Western retained the No. 1 ranking, and is followed by North Dakota and South Dakota State. Defending national champion Cal Poly Pomona, which plays SPU Dec. 27 in Bellingham, is No. 10, a drop of six spots. Western Washington is the only other Great Northwest Athletic Conference team listed, coming in at No. 13.

USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
Team Pts. Record Last Week
1. Missouri Western State - Saint Joseph (18) 601 6-0 1
2. University Of North Dakota - Grand Forks (3) 598 5-0 2
3. South Dakota State University - Brookings (4) 569 6-0 3
4. Seattle Pacific University - Seattle 527 7-0 6
5. California State University - Bakersfield 498 3-0 5
6. University Of Central Arkansas - Conway 459 8-0 10
7. North Dakota State University - Fargo 440 8-1 9
8. Arkansas Tech University - Russellville 424 3-0 7
9. California University Of PA - California 400 6-0 12
10. California State Poly University - Pomona 368 1-1 4
11. Mesa State College - Grand Junction 356 6-0 13
12. Bentley College - Waltham 288 8-2 15
13. Western Washington University - Bellingham 279 3-1 11
14. Bellarmine University - Louisville 262 5-0 24
15. Grand Valley State University - Allendale 225 7-0 NR
16. Northern Kentucky University - Highland Heights 205 4-2 8
17. Glenville State College - Glenville 166 3-1 16
18. (t) Delta State University - Cleveland 155 4-0 5
18. (t)Florida Tech - Melbourne 155 5-1 20
20. University Of South Dakota - Vermillion 121 6-0 NR
21. Saint Mary's University - San Antonio 115 5-2 17
22. Lake Superior State University - Sault St. Marie 108 4-1 21
23. Adelphi University - Garden City 104 3-2 19
24. (t)University Of South Carolina - Aiken 90 7-2 23
24. (t) Washburn University - Topeka 90 4-0 NR