Wildcats Climb to #16 in WBCA Poll

1/27/2026 1:40:00 PM

By: CONTACT: Connor Griffin, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications | cgriffin@daemen.edu

AMHERST, N.Y. — Daemen women's basketball has climbed to #16 in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division II Coaches' Poll.

The Wildcats are ranked for the fourth consecutive week and the fifth time this season, moving up from last week's #20 ranking. It is the program's second-highest ranking since April 2024, when they were tabbed #12.

Daemen currently holds a 16-2 record, including a 9-0 ECC mark. The Wildcats most recently earned another conference win, defeating crosstown rival D'Youville 63-45, to remain undefeated in ECC play and expand their streak to seven games. It marks the second straight season that Daemen has started conference action 9-0.

The Wildcats defeated Queens (81-43) and Molloy (73-60) on the road. The team is also 5-0 at home in conference play, with the most recent wins coming over District of Columbia (67-54) and Staten Island (78-52).

Daemen earned two wins to wrap up its non-conference slate. On Jan. 1, the Wildcats logged their second win over a nationally-ranked opponent, defeating #18 Bentley, 75-62. Daemen then downed Franklin Pierce 76-42 two days later.

The Wildcats went 1-1 at the Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas, Nev., on Dec. 21-22. Daemen defeated Texas A&M Kingsville before falling to Montana State Billings. Daemen completed a 4-0 stretch to start ECC play in December, defeating St. Thomas Aquinas and Mercy on the road. The Wildcats also picked up conference wins over Molloy and Queens at home.

Earlier in non-conference action, Daemen earned a 66-61 victory over #24 nationally-ranked Holy Family on Nov. 30. It was the team's first win over a ranked opponent since January 3, 2024, when they defeated #5/11 Ferris State 61-56. The Wildcats also defeated Chestnut Hill, Goldey-Beacom, and Wilmington during the start of non-conference play.

Daemen is being led offensively by Ne'vaeh Buntley (Rochester, N.Y.), who is averaging 15.4 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game. The sophomore ranks third in the conference in scoring. Cecilia Lapertosa (Whitesboro, N.Y.) is the team leader in rebounding (7.0 RPG) and blocks (2.0 BPG). She is second in the ECC in blocks, eighth in scoring (13.7 PPG), and 10th in rebounds.

The Wildcats have also seen strong contributions from Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.), who leads the conference in steals per game (3.6 SPG) and sits seventh in blocks (1.5 BPG) while averaging 12.9 PPG and 5.6 RPG. Shyla Montgomery (Brockton, Mass.) is fifth in the conference in assists (3.1 APG) and is second in steals (2.5 SPG).

Daemen is back home on Saturday, hosting Western New York foe Roberts Wesleyan at 12 p.m.

Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

Follow the Daemen women's basketball program on Twitter and Instagram at @DaemenWBB.

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