• VIDEO: ECC Preseason Poll

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Oct. 28, 2011) - NYIT women's basketball, under the direction of third year head coach Anthony Crocitto, was selected to finish seventh in the East Coast Conference, it was announced in the preseason coaches poll on Friday. The Bears finished the 2010-2011 campaign with an 8-18 overall record and a 6-15 league mark, which was good for seventh overall.

St. Thomas Aquinas was chosen as the preseason favorite with five first-place votes and defending ECC Champions C.W. Post received two first-place votes to earn the No. 2 spot on the poll. Rounding out the top three was Dowling.

The Lady Spartans also earned another honor with senior forward, Briana Sloper, named the Preseason Player of the Year.

NYIT women's basketball opens the 2011-2012 season on the road at the NE-10/ECC Challenge. The Bears will face the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire on Friday, Nov. 11 at  4 p.m. 

2011‐2012 Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (5) 
2. C.W. Post (2) 
3. Dowling
4. Bridgeport (1) 
5. Molloy (1) 
6. District of Columbia 
7. NYIT 
8. Queens 
9. Mercy 
( ) ‐ First Place Votes