SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State Lady Bears entered the national rankings Tuesday in the 22nd spot of the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Missouri State is 4-1 on the season after a run to the Preseason WNIT championship game, where the Lady Bears suffered a close loss to Oregon State on Sunday in Corvallis. The Beavers checked in at No. 5 in this week's poll, while MSU already owns two road wins over teams receiving votes in Minnesota and Boise State.

The Lady Bears ended last season ranked 24th in the final Coaches Poll and has now been ranked a total of 57 weeks in the poll in addition to 53 times by the Associated Press, where MSU checked in at No. 30 on Monday.

This is MSU's first regular season ranking since Feb. 2, 2004.

Missouri State returns to action Friday, Nov. 22, with a 6 p.m. game against Santa Clara at JQH Arena.