INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The University of Central Missouri Jennies Basketball Team is ranked fifth in the second NCAA Division II Central Regional Rankings released on Wednesday, Feb. 25, by the NCAA. 

UCM is one of three MIAA women's basketball programs that appear in the second rankings. Fort Hays State is ranked second, the Jennies fifth, and Washburn sixth. 

The Central Region comprises teams from the MIAA, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), and the Great American Conference (GAC).

Minnesota State (NSIC) is ranked number one, followed by Fort Hays State. Harding (GAC) rounds out the top three in third. 

Following the completion of conference postseason tournament play, the top eight teams in the final Central Regional Rankings released during the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament Selection Show at 9:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com on Sunday, March 8, will earn a berth in the 64-team NCAA Division II National Tournament.

The Jennies, who have won nine straight games and are 21-5 overall and 15-2 in the MIAA, are scheduled to host the Missouri Southern Lions Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 5:30 p.m. inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.