WALTHAM, Mass. – Coming off back-to-back 28-4 seasons and a four-year record of 111-20, the Bentley University women's basketball team tied for second in the Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division preseason coaches' poll, which was released on Thursday.

Bentley, the defending regular season division champion, collected five first-place votes and a total of 77 points, sharing second-place with Stonehill College. Saint Anselm College, the 2019 NCAA Division II East Region champions, topped the voting with eight firsts and 83 points.

The remainder of the Northeast Division rankings had Southern New Hampshire fourth, Assumption College fifth, St. Michael's College sixth and Franklin Pierce University seventh.

In the Southwest Division, Le Moyne College earned top billing with 12 first-place votes and 90 points. Adelphi University followed in second, with one first and 69 points, and the third slot went to the University of New Haven, with 62 points.

A couple national rankings were released earlier this month with Coach Barbara Stevens' Falcons projected for 15th in Division II by NCAA.com and 23rd by Women's Division II Bulletin.

Bentley will make its 2019-20 debut in Philadelphia next month, taking on USciences on Friday, Nov. 8 (7 pm) and Goldey-Beacom on Saturday, Nov. 9 (12 noon). Five of the team's seven November games are on the road with the home-opener Nov. 23 against Queens (N.Y.).

NORTHEAST-10 PRESEASON COACHES POLL

NORTHEAST DIVISION
1. Saint Anselm (8) 83
2. Bentley (5) 77
2. Stonehill (1) 77
4. Southern New Hampshire 50
5. Assumption 41
6. St. Michael's 29
7. Franklin Pierce 28

SOUTHWEST DIVISION
1. Le Moyne (12) 90
2. Adelphi (1) 69
3. New Haven 62
4. Southern Connecticut State 57
5. American International 47
6. Pace 34
7. Saint Rose 26