INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The second edition of the NCAA Central Region Rankings was released this afternoon, the Concordia-St. Paul women's basketball team slotted in fourth in the central region. This is the first ranked edition of the regional rankings. 

Four NSIC teams were ranked in the central region, with No.3-ranked Minnesota State (27-1, 21-1 NSIC)  grabbing the top spot in the region. CSP (21-6, 17-5 NSIC)slotted in fourth in the region, Minnesota Duluth (19-7, 17-5 NSIC)  was ranked ninth and UMary (22-9, 15-7 NSIC) was ranked in the tenth and final spot. 

No. 8-ranked Fort Hays State (24-3, 15-3 MIAA) was ranked second in the region, the Tigers currently sit in second place in the MIAA after defeating Pittsburg State in overtime last weekend. No. 14-ranked Harding (22-4, 16-4 GAC) was ranked third in the region, the Bison currently sit in first-place in the GAC.  

Central Missouri (21-5, 15-2 MIAA)  slotted in fifth behind the Golden Bears, Washburn (19-7, 12-5 MIAA)  was ranked sixth Arkansas Tech (18-6, 14-6 GAC) was ranked seventh and Northwestern Oklahoma (18-8, 13-7 GAC) was ranked eighth. 

The NSIC, the Great American Conference (GAC) and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) make up the 41-team NCAA Central Region. The top eight teams in the region advance to the NCAA Central Region Tournament on March 13, 14 & 16. Automatic bids are granted to the winners of each conference, with the remaining five spots being awarded as at-large bids. 

The Golden Bears are seeking their second consecutive regional appearance and 12th regional appearance in program history. 

CSP starts NSIC Tournament play on Saturday, Feb. 28 against the winner of the MSU Moorhead/ Northern State first round game. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.