WALTHAM, Mass. – Coming off an undefeated season that culminated with a 73-65 win over West Texas A&M in the NCAA Division II national championship game, the Bentley University Falcons are ranked number one in the Northeast Division in the Northeast-10 Conference preseason coaches' poll.

Despite losing players who accounted for 77 percent of the scoring and 74 percent of the rebounds, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame coach Barbara Stevens' team received 13 first-place votes and a total of 103 points.

Bentley, 35-0 last year when it extended its string of Northeast-10 championships to four, was previously ranked 13th in the preseason Women's Division II Bulletin rankings.

The other two first place votes in the Northeast Division went to Stonehill College, which finished second in the voting with 92 points. Assumption College was third with 74 and Franklin Pierce University took fourth with 69. They were followed by Merrimack College, Southern New Hampshire, Saint Anselm College and St. Michael's College.

On the other side of the ledger, the University of New Haven edged Adelphi University for preseason honors in the Southwest Division. New Haven had ten firsts and 84 points while the Panthers received five firsts and 81 points.

Bentley opens its season with non-conference games against Goldey-Beacom College and Post University at Merrimack College Nov. 14-15. The home-opener and banner-raising ceremony will be Nov. 22 against Stonehill College (1:30 pm).

2014-15 Northeast-10 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Northeast Division

Southwest Division