SEARCY, Ark. – Following a dominant stretch of conference play, the Harding women's basketball team has fought its way back into the nation's top 10.

The Lady Bisons moved up one spot to No. 10 in the WBCA NCAA Division II Top 25 coaches' poll released Tuesday. This marks Harding's first appearance in the top 10 since earlier this winter, when the team reached a season-high ranking of No. 7.

Harding (21-3) earned 366 total points in the poll, benefiting from a shakeup in the top tier that saw West Texas A&M tumble from No. 8 to No. 11. The Lady Bisons have now spent 13 consecutive weeks in the national rankings, a testament to their consistency in a season where they have emerged as the frontrunners in the Great American Conference.

Minnesota State Mankato (26-0) remains the undisputed No. 1, sweeping all 23 first-place votes. Rounding out the top five are Texas Woman's (22-1), Grand Valley State (23-1), Colorado Mesa (26-1), and Indiana, PA (21-1).

The Lady Bisons continue to lead the charge for the Central Region, which features three teams in the top 10. Harding trails only top-ranked Minnesota State and No. 6 Fort Hays State in the regional pecking order, keeping them in a prime position for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

While Harding rose, its GAC rival Arkansas Tech (18-4) dropped out of the Top 25 entirely. The Golden Suns fell from No. 25 to the "others receiving votes" category following a loss this past week.

Harding will put its top-10 ranking on the line Thursday, Feb. 19, when they travel to Ada, Oklahoma, to take on East Central. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.

WBCA NCAA Division II Top 10 (Feb. 17, 2026)

1. Minnesota State Mankato (26-0) – 575 pts

2. Texas Woman's (22-1) – 549 pts

3. Grand Valley State (23-1) – 529 pts

4. Colorado Mesa (26-1) – 508 pts

5. Indiana, PA (21-1) – 475 pts

6. Fort Hays State (23-2) – 457 pts

7. Cal Poly Pomona (22-2) – 422 pts

8. Gannon (22-3) – 395 pts

9. Nova Southeastern (22-2) – 389 pts

10. Harding (21-3) – 366 pts