PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Eastern Connecticut State University basketball team debuted at No. 8 in the latest edition of the Northeast Region poll, released this afternoon by the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Selection Committee. The University of Southern Maine reclaimed its position at No. 2 after slipping a spot the previous week.

The NCAA regional selection committee used the following criteria based on the games through Feb. 24, 2008 to determine their third and final rankings: in-region record, overall record, opponents winning percentage, and opponents opponents winning percentage. The number of ranked teams is relative to the number of teams in the each of the eight regions.

The NCAA will tabulate a final regional poll after this weekend's game to assist the selection and bracketing process for the 63-team national draw, but it will not be released to the public. The winner of the 2008 Little East Conference Championship Tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The pairings for the national tournament will be announced on Monday, March 3.

Under the direction of Head Coach Denise Bierly, Eastern Connecticut (22-4) has won six straight games and eight of its past nine to close the regular season, finishing the campaign second in the Little East Conference standings tied with Western Connecticut at 11-3. The Warriors are 1-2 overall against the teams ranked in the Northeast poll, splitting their season series with the Huskies and falling at No. 7 Salem State College. Eastern Connecticut snapped Southern Maine's 78-game home winning streak on Feb. 9, ending the third longest active streak in the nation. Junior center Ashley McFetridge (Canton, Conn.) paces the Warriors with 15.2 and 8.5 rebounds per game, while classmate guard Nicky Morey (Columbia, Conn.) and senior forward Stephanie Smith (Penacook, N.H.) also average double figures in the scoring column.  

The University of Southern Maine reached the 20-win barrier for the eighth consecutive season, boasting an overall record of 24-2. The Huskies are currently ranked in both national polls, No. 11 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' poll and two positions lower in the D3Hoops.com listings. Under the leadership of legendary Head Coach Gary Fifield, Southern Maine slipped one position in last weeks regional poll despite not losing, but a victory over a 20-win Western Connecticut squad vaulted them back into the second seed. The Huskies are led by junior forward Stacey Kent's (Northwood, N.H.) 14.4 and 5.7 rebounds per game, while sophomore guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) has handed out a team-best 77 assists.  

Eastern Connecticut State University and the University of Southern Maine return to the hardwood on Friday, Feb. 29 for the 2008 Little East Conference Championship Tournament. The Warriors will face intra-state rival Western Connecticut State University at 5:30 p.m. in the first semifinal game, while the Huskies host Keene State College in the nightcap at 7:30 p.m. The two winners meet in the championship game at 4 p.m. the following afternoon. The Huskies will be audio broadcasting all three games this weekend.