Women’s Basketball Ranked No. 1 in USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll

Junior guard Emily Osga scored a game-high 22 points for UCSD, finishing 8-of-11 from the field. Courtesy: Jimmy Gekas/Sideline Studios

After picking up victories over Cal State East Bay and No. 24 Cal State Monterey Bay over the weekend, the UC San Diego women's basketball team climbed to No. 1 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll that was released on Tuesday.

The Tritons, who currently stand at 16-0 overall and 10-0 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play, received 26 out of a possible 31 first place votes and a total of 770 points to earn the top spot in the poll for the first time in program history. UCSD moved up one spot after coming in at No. 2 in last week's rankings.

Clayton State (16-1) is currently ranked No. 2 after receiving five first place votes and 744 total points, followed by Edinboro University (14-1), Fort Lewis College (14-1) and Metro State (14-1) to round out the top five.

UCSD is one of three teams from the CCAA appearing in this week's Top 25. Cal Poly Pomona (11-2, 7-2) is ranked No. 17 and Cal State Monterey Bay (11-2, 8-1) came in at No 22.

After beginning the 2011-12 campaign at No. 13, UC San Diego has climbed a total of 12 spots during its historic run to start the season. The Tritons became the first team in program history to win their first 15 games with an 84-73 win over Cal State East Bay on Friday and then matched the program's longest winning streak overall with an impressive 91-63 triumph over rival Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday.

UCSD will look to break that mark with a 17th straight win against Sonoma State on Friday. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. at RIMAC Arena on campus.

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