HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University women's basketball team continues to rise in the Women's Mid Major Top 25 poll to sit at No. 18 for the first time in program history, announced by College Insider Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Lady Lions earned their fourth consecutive appearance on the Top 25 Mid Major Poll as they currently stand 22-3 overall and 16-0 in Southland Conference play. Southeastern is the last undefeated team in the conference and has protected its home court in Hammond, America this season with its historic run, under the guidance of head coach Ayla Guzzardo.
 
"This run means a lot to this program and our fan base, who has been supporting us from the beginning," said Coach Guzzardo. "We all know what our ultimate goals are, but to receive recognition is definitely motivation to keep striving to be better."
 
SLU is among only two teams in the nation standing with a record of 15-0 or higher as of Feb. 18. Southeastern is also one-out-of-11 teams in the country that remain undefeated in their respective conference. The Lady Lions improved to 16-0 in league play after two dominant victories over conference rivals McNeese and Nicholls this past week. In its most recent win over Nicholls, Jalencia Pierre and Kaili Chamberlin tied with 10 points to provide a spark of momentum throughout the contest for Southeastern to secure a 13-point victory at home. Pierre finished five-of-seven from the field, while Chamberlin came off the bench with an electrifying performance, shooting four-of-five from the field and two-of-two from behind the arch. SLU closed out the game with 34 points in the paint, 22 bench points, and 19 points off turnovers.
 
"I believe our depth and attention to detail has been our key components this season," stated Guzzardo. "But ultimately, our defense is always the driving force of our success."
 
Southeastern sits at the top of the conference in scoring defense (52.20), steals (11.20), turnover margin (+7.64), and assist/turnover ratio (1.04). The Lady Lions' defense continues to smother opponents, forcing 19.9 turnovers per game and allowing only 52.2 points, to tie for second in the country in points allowed. SLU remains among the prestige company of Notre Dame (14-0 ACC), UConn (14-0 Big East), Florida Gulf Coast (14-0 ASUN), Montana State (14-0 Big Sky), James Madison (14-0 Sun Belt), and Fairfield (15-0 MAAC). Southeastern is the only team to represent the Southland Conference for the fourth consecutive week.
 
In its 15^th season, the Mid-Major Poll is made up of teams from the following conferences: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Coastal Athletic, Conference USA, Horizon, Independent, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast, Western Athletic.
 
The Lady Lions will remain at home to face Northwestern State Thursday at 6 p.m. in the University Center. Thursday's game will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive.
  
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Women's Basketball, follow @LionUpWBB on X, like /SoutheasternWBB on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern offers mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.