Women's basketball comes in second in first Northeast Regional poll

In an early indicator of its likelihood at landing an NCAA Tournament bid, the women's basketball team drew the No. 2 spot in the first NCAA Northeast Regional poll, which was released yesterday.
The weekly poll is used by the NCAA selection committee at season's end to help allot Pool C at-large bids to March Madness. If the Jumbos do not win the upcoming NESCAC Tournament and earn the conference's automatic bid, the rankings suggest they are in prime position to earn an at-large bid for the second year in a row.
Two other NESCAC schools joined the Jumbos in the poll. Fresh off its victory over Tufts Saturday afternoon, nationally ranked No. 9 Amherst took the top spot behind the strength of its sterling 20-1 in-region record. The only team to beat the Lord Jeffs this year was Bowdoin, which came in fourth in the regional poll.
National No. 16 Tufts' appearance in the poll stems from the team's 17-3 record against the 18th-toughest schedule in the nation this season. The Jumbos have played all four of the teams who join them in the top five, posting wins over Bowdoin and fifth-ranked Eastern Conn. and losses to Amherst and third-ranked Brandeis.
Tufts has two more regular season games left before the first round of the NESCAC Tournament tips off on Feb. 21.