Michigan State moves up to No. 22 in women’s AP basketball poll

New York — A pair of victories last week helped Michigan State climb one spot in the Associated Press women’s college basketball poll.

Michigan State (15-5) is up to No. 22 this week, following victories over Illinois and rival Michigan.

The Spartans have won three of their last four games.

Baylor is No. 1 in the poll for the first time nearly six years.

The Lady Bears (17-1) ascended to the top spot after then-No. 1 Notre Dame lost to unranked North Carolina on Sunday. Baylor, which received 24 of 28 first-place votes Monday from a national media panel, last was No. 1 in the final poll of the 2012-13 season. The team was the top choice among voters for the final 11 weeks of that season.

The Fighting Irish fell to fifth, with UConn, Louisville and Oregon following Baylor.

Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Stanford, Oregon State and Marquette rounded out the top 10. The Wolfpack are the only undefeated team left in Division I basketball.

BYU entered the poll at No. 25 while Missouri fell out. It’s the Cougars first ranking since February 2012.

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25

Others receiving votes: Miami (Fla.) 34, Drake 30, South Dakota 10, DePaul 7, Missouri 7, New Mexico 4, California 2, Clemson 2, Minnesota 1, Rice 1, UCF 1.