CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - After finishing third in the Iowa Conference a year ago, the Loras women's basketball team has been voted to finish third in 2018 after a 17-10 mark through last season. The Duhawks' 17 wins in 2016-17 marked the fifth straight season of 15 or more wins under the direction of head coach, Justin Heinzen. 

After finishing with a 10-6 mark in conference play a year ago, Loras earned the No. 3 seed in the 2017 Iowa Conference tournament, defeating Nebraska Wesleyan in the first round before falling to No. 2 seed, Luther, in the semifinals. 

This year's favorite atop the Iowa Conference Preseason Poll is Wartburg. A year ago, the Knights took home both the regular season and tournament titles while returning five starters who were all named All-IIAC a year ago. Wartburg topped the poll with 63 total points and seven first place votes. Following the Knights are the Norse with 56 total points and two first place votes. Luther returns four starters from a squad who, a year ago finished second in both the regular season and conference tournament. Loras rounds out the top three after earning 49 total points in the poll. Closely following the Duhawks are the Kohawks with 41 total points and Simpson with 33 points. The bottom four of the poll in order are Buena Vista (30 points), Nebraska Wesleyan (25 points), Dubuque (16 points) and Central (11 points). 

Loras opens it's season at home on the weekend of November 17 and 18 in a two-day tournament featuring the Simpson, UW-Stevens Point and Carroll. On Friday, the Duhawks kick off their 2017-18 campaign against the Pioneers at 8 p.m. from inside the Athletic and Wellness Center before taking on the Pointers on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Connect with the Duhawks all season long on social media by following @DuhawkWBB on Twitter and following Loras College Women's Basketball on Facebook. When the Duhawks are at home, tune in to the Duhawk Broadcast Network for live video and live stats on the SIDEARM Sports platform.