The Jackson State women’s basketball team won its 22nd game of the season Thursday by dismantling the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 82-67 at the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center.

The win, which improved the Tigers’ record to 17-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference games, was nothing compared to the history the team made earlier in the week.

On Monday, one of the voters in the Associated Press women’s basketball poll included Jackson State in their Top 25 ballot.

Tigers coach Tomekia Reed posted on her social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter: “We always seek to do something that has never been done in our program as we look to continue to elevate the bar each year.

But to receive an email saying we received a vote for the AP Poll is beyond my imagination!!! Lord, I thank you!! To whoever voted for us THANK YOU!!

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley retweeted: “You’d have another vote one if I was a voter! Keep doing the BELIEVABLE!

During her postgame news conference Thursday, Reed talked about receiving an AP vote.

“Right now our record is the best we have had in school history,” Reed said. “That is what we have been focusing on.

But to have an AP vote, one vote, that’s enough.

You know when Taylor (Lewis), the women’s sports information director, called me and told me that we had received an email, I thought she was kidding.

So I said, ‘Send me a copy of the email.’ And when she sent it, I was smiling ear-to-ear.

I was so excited that our program has gained national respect. It may have been one person, but that one person matters. So, I am just truly thankful for where we are with this program.”

The last time Jackson State women’s basketball finished undefeated in the SWAC was in 2021 when they went 23-7, and 18-0.

The Lady Tigers try to go 18-0 and stay perfect in the SWAC as it ends its season against Mississippi Valley State at 12 p.m., at home on Saturday at 12 p.m.