AUGUSTA, Ga. | The Peach Belt Conference released the results of the 2015-16 women's basketball preseason poll on Thursday afternoon, with the University of North Georgia voted to finish fifth out of 14 schools.  Columbus State was the unanimous choice to repeat as champions.

The Cougars received all 13 first-place votes available to them for the maximum 169 points.  Lander was second in the poll with 149 while USC Aiken was third at 131.

Armstrong State landed in fourth with 124 points, just a single point ahead of head coach Buffie Burson's Nighthawks (123). 

Teams were given 13 points for a first-place vote, 12 for a second and so on.  Coaches were not permitted to rank their own teams.

North Georgia is on the heels of the program's second consecutive 20-win season as the Nighthawks finished 21-9 and reached the PBC Tournament semifinals.

UNG returns four of five starters from a year ago including PBC preseason All-Conference selection Kelsey Hutchins, Molly Rainwater, Cierra Jackson and Lauren Pounds. 

The Nighthawks open the 2015-16 season on Nov. 13-14 when they host the Peach Belt / Conference Carolinas Conference Challenge presented by Steak-N-Shake. 

2015-2016 Peach Belt Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

1. Columbus State (13), 169
2. Lander (1), 149
3. USC Aiken, 131
4. Armstrong State, 124
5. North Georgia, 123
6. Clayton State, 116
7. Georgia College, 86
8. Augusta, 84
9. Young Harris, 69
10. Georgia Southwestern, 65
11. UNC Pembroke, 62
12. Flagler, 43
13. Francis Marion, 28
14. Montevallo, 17