ATLANTA, Ga. - Lee University for the fifth consecutive year has been voted by the coaches to win the SSAC women's basketball championship. Last year the Lady Flames won the SSAC regular season championship for the fourth year in a row and were also tournament champions with a win over Berry College in the tournament finals.

Lee is the SSAC coaches' pick to win the conference title in 2009-10 by posting all but one first place votes and 80 points. Lee head coach Marty Rowe, who enters his sixth season, finished the 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 30-6 and 17-3 mark in the conference returns Second Team All-American Katie Nelson.

Auburn University-Montgomery, who finished second in the 2008-09 regular season also finished second in the voting by the coaches with 72 points. AUM, who returns 6'5" center, Cassie Moore, finished last season 20-8 and 15-5 in the conference. Both Lee and AUM were joined by Berry College in the NAIA national tournament.

Only twelve votes separate the teams ranked from #3 through #6. Shorter College is third with 55 points followed by Southern Poly State (48), Emmanuel College (46), and Brenau (43).

This year's championship tournament will be held in Rome, Georgia from March 4-6.

Listed below is the complete 2009 SSAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll:

1. Lee University (7) 80
2. Auburn University-Montgomery 72
3. Shorter College 55
4. Southern Poly State University 48
5. Emmanuel College 46
6. Brenau University 43
7. Southern Wesleyan Univ. 25
8. Brewton Parker College 24
9. Columbia College 12