NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - The Wilmington University women's basketball picked up 39 points and is voted to finish tied for fifth in the South Division as the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference announces the 2017-18 CACC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Wildcats narrowly missed the postseason last season, falling on the last day of the regular season to finish in fifth place. They went 12-16 overall, 9-10 in CACC play in 2016-17. This year, the coaches' slotted them in a tie for fifth place with Holy Family, each earning 39 points in the South Division.

Defending CACC Tournament Champions USciences earned 13 first place votes and 97 total points to claim the top spot in the South Division. Jefferson earned the only other first place vote in the South Division, finishing with 73 points to sit in second place. Chestnut Hill earned 70 points for third while Goldey-Beacom rounds out the expected CACC Tournament participants with 59 points for fourth place.

Following Wilmington and Holy Family tied for fifth with 39 points, Georgian Court rounds out the South Division with 14 points to finish in seventh.

In the North Division, Caldwell took 12 first place votes to total 96 points and expected to finish atop the division. Caldwell lost to USciences in the CACC Tournament Championship game. Bloomfield picked up the other two first place votes and 86 total points to sit in second place. Dominican earned 66 points for third while Concordia picked up 53 points to finish out the expected playoff contenders form the North.

Nyack was given 33 points for fifth place while Felician (32 points) and Post (23) round out the North Division.

The Wildcats begin their 2017-18 season next Friday when they head to Holy Family for the NE10/CACC Conference Challenge. They open with Franklin Pierce on Friday before playing Bentley on Saturday. Tip-off against the Ravens in the season opener is set for 7:00 p.m.

AGATE:

2017-18 CACC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

North Division
1. Caldwell University 96 (12)
2. Bloomfield College 86 (2)
3. Dominican College 66
4. Concordia College 53
5. Nyack College 33
6. Felician University 32
7. Post University 23 points

South Division
1. University of the Sciences 97 (13)
2. Thomas Jefferson University 73 (1)
3. Chestnut Hill College 70
4. Goldey-Beacom College 59
T5. Holy Family University 39
T5. Wilmington University 39
7. Georgian Court University 14
() - First-Place Votes