GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball team is ranked #22 in the latest iteration of the NAIA National Poll. Though the team was receiving votes early in the season, this marks the first time the team has been ranked in the Top 25 this season.

"We weren't ranked early but I thought we preserved," head coach Bill Himmelberg said. "We played a tough schedule and put ourselves in a position where we just won some games. Our team is experienced so we don't look at the poll that much and just focus on ourselves. It's a nice reward to see us get in there but we're not finished."

The Argos (16-3, 3-1) are currently in the midst of a seven-game winning streak. Two of the wins have come against ranked opponents; the squad defeated #18 Dakota State in the final game of the Cactus Classic and defeated #21 Montana Western at home last Thursday.

"The biggest thing is that we've been taking care of the basketball," Himmelberg said. "We've been defending and following the game plan. If we can continue to do those things we'll continue to have success."

The team will be welcomed into the Top 25 with a pair of games against ranked opponents. The Argos will host #6 Carroll on Thursday before traveling to #15 Rocky Mountain College on Saturday.

"We just need to take care of the things that we can take care of," Himmelberg said. "We need to focus on us and make sure that we take care of the basketball. We have to make sure that we're defending and following the game plan. Those are the things that got us ranked. Those are the things that got us where we're at. If we can make sure that they are working defensively by taking care of the basketball and not giving them easy baskets, we'll have a chance in both games."

The game against Carroll will tip off at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday night in the McLaughlin Center.