INDIANAPOLIS -- One week after achieving its highest NCAA Regional ranking in program history, Academy of Art University women's basketball moved up to a new best on Wednesday. ART U is now ranked fifth in the West Region with one more regular season game and the Pacific West Conference Championship Tournament (Mar. 3-5) on the horizon.

"Moving up to number five is a big step for our program and puts us in a better position going into postseason," said head coach LaNay Larson. "We're definitely focused on Saturday's game. Everybody's a tough matchup for us right now. We are still going game-by-game and still have the same goals to accomplish."

Despite falling to No. 4 California Baptist on Tuesday, Academy of Art University remains among the PacWest's top trio at 17-2 in conference and 22-7 overall. The Urban Knights were the first team to clinch a spot in the PacWest Tournament which will determine the winner of an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament. ART U comes into its final regular season weekend ranking fifth in NCAA Division II in turnover margin (+8.17), eighth in offensive rebounds per game (17.0), 10th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.27), 12th in scoring offense (80.5 points per game), and 19th in steals per game (11.0).

The Knights are one of four PacWest schools in the West Region's Top 10, behind Azusa Pacific at No. 3 and California Baptist at No. 4, but ahead of Point Loma at No. 10.

ART U will close out its regular season road hosting Notre Dame de Namur this Saturday, Feb. 27 at SF State's Main Gymnasium.