1. Dordt (Iowa)

Games prior to next poll: Dec. 3 Briar Cliff (Iowa), Dec. 6 Doane (Neb.), Dec. 10 Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), Dec. 13 Concordia (Neb.)

Notes: The Defenders are sitting at 7-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play while riding a seven-game winning streak. The Defenders have been perfect at home, on the road, and at neutral sites, highlighted by a hard-fought 86-82 win over Dakota State (S.D.) and a narrow 73-71 victory against Northwestern (Iowa). With balanced scoring and strong defense, Dordt has outpaced opponents by wide margins.

2. Bethel (Tenn.)

Games prior to next poll: Dec. 2 Fisk (Tenn.), Dec. 16 Faulkner (Ala.)

Notes: Bethel (Tenn.) women’s basketball is rolling with an 11-0 start, including a perfect 6-0 mark at home and three neutral-site wins. The Wildcats have dominated non-conference play, highlighted by decisive victories over Indiana Wesleyan and Texas A&M–San Antonio, and are riding an 11-game winning streak heading into conference action. Their balanced attack and strong defense have made them one of the NAIA’s most formidable teams early in the season.

3. Campbellsville (Ky.)

Games prior to next poll: Nov. 29 Pikeville (Ky.), Dec. 6 IU East (Ind.)

Notes: The Tigers remain perfect at 10-0, running the table in non-conference play with five home wins and five neutral-site victories. The Tigers have been unstoppable on offense, posting a triple-digit score against Union Commonwealth (Tenn.) (112-37) and a near triple-digit score against Johnson (Tenn.) (99-56), while also showing defensive strength in wins over Indiana Wesleyan and Reinhardt (Ga.). Campbellsville enters conference play riding a 10-game win streak. 

4. Dakota State (S.D.)

Games prior to next poll: Dec. 2 Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), Dec. 5 Mayville State (N.D.), Dec. 6 Valley City State (N.D.), Dec. 12 Montana State-Northern, Dec. 13 Providence (Mont.) 

Notes: The Trojans hold the No. 4 spot with a 7-1 record and a perfect 3-0 mark in conference play. The Trojans’ only setback came in a hard-fought 86-82 loss at Dordt (Iowa), but they’ve bounced back with four straight wins, including dominant performances over Bellevue (Neb.) (105-57) and Northwestern (Iowa) (94-67). The team boasts strong offensive showings—scoring 100 points against Bethel (Kan.) and 98 against Providence (Mont.).

5. Marian (Ind.)

Games prior to next poll: Nov. 29 IU Southeast (Ind.), Dec. 3 Goshen (Ind.), Dec. 6 Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio), Dec. 13 Rio Grande (Ohio) 

Notes: The Knights remain unbeaten at 7-0, including a 2-0 start in conference play, and hold steady in the Top 5. The Knights have been dominant on both ends of the floor, posting lopsided wins over Pikeville (Ky.) (89-45) and IU Northwest (Ind.) (105-47) while showing grit in a 73-60 road victory at Bethel (Ind.). Marian will enter the heart of the season with three road wins and a balanced offense.

6. Saint Francis (Ind.)

Games prior to next poll: Dec. 3 Indiana Wesleyan, Dec. 6 Bethel (Ind.), Dec. 12 Webber International (Fla.), Dec. 13 Southeastern (Fla.) 

Notes: The Cougars have surged to No. 6 with a flawless 9-0 record and a 2-0 start in conference play. The Cougars have been dominant on the road (5-0), highlighted by gritty wins at Saint Xavier (Ill.) (51-48) and Indiana Tech (60-50), while also posting explosive offensive performances like a 119-46 rout of Grace (Ind.) and a 92-81 victory over Olivet Nazarene (Ill.). 

7. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)

Games prior to next poll: Dec. 9 Fisk (Tenn.), Dec. 16 Grand View (Iowa)

Notes: The Lions stay perfect at 10-0, showcasing dominance both at home and on the road with a balanced attack. The Lions have posted convincing wins over Oregon Tech (68-51) and St. Thomas (Fla.) (92-78), while also displaying defensive strength in victories against Life (Ga.) (77-35) and Rust (Miss.) (74-46). FHU enters December riding a 10-game winning streak and proving consistency across all environments.

8. Briar Cliff (Iowa)

Games prior to next poll: Dec. 3 Dordt (Iowa), Dec. 6 Mount Marty (Iowa), Dec. 10 Morningside (Iowa), Dec. 13 Hastings (Neb.)

Notes: The Chargers hold the No. 8 spot with a strong 9-1 record and a 3-1 mark in conference play. BCU opened the season with nine straight wins, including dominant performances over Waldorf  (Iowa) (100-51) and Missouri Valley (95-55), before dropping its most recent game to Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.). Briar Cliff enters the final month of the year with four road victories and a high-powered offense that has topped 90 points multiple times.

9. Concordia (Neb.)

Games prior to next poll: Dec. 3 Doane (Neb.), Dec. 6 Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), Dec. 10 Midland (Neb.), Dec. 13 Dordt (Iowa)

Notes: The Bulldogs remain unbeaten at 8-0 and perfect in conference play (4-0), climbing into the top 10 with dominant performances. The Bulldogs have showcased offensive firepower, scoring 133 points against Waldorf (Iowa) and 117 versus Kansas Christian, while also earning key road wins at Northwestern (Iowa) (88-66) and Mount Marty (S.D.) (66-59). Concordia boasts five home victories and a balanced attack.

10. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)

Games prior to next poll: Nov. 28 Carroll (Mont.), Nov. 29 Rocky Mountain (Mont.), Dec. 5 Eastern Oregon, Dec. 6 College of Idaho, Dec. 11 Whitman College, Dec. 16 Walla Walla (Wash.) 

Notes: The Warriors round out the Top 10 with a 5-1 record after opening the season with five straight wins. LCSC has shown offensive firepower, scoring 113 points against Park-Gilbert (Ariz.) and earning a tight 71-70 victory over Shawnee State (Ohio), before falling on the road to Rio Grande (Ohio) (81-73). Lewis-Clark State leans into its final two November contests while looking to bounce back from its recent setback.