ATLANTA, Ga. -- The College of Saint Benedict basketball team has been recognized for its academic excellence by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), earning a spot on the 2024-25 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll, announced Tuesday (July 22). The Bennies ranked 17th nationally among NCAA Division III programs with an impressive 3.749 team GPA.

The WBCA Academic Top 25 honors women's college basketball programs across all divisions that achieve the highest combined grade-point averages, including all student-athletes on the roster for the entire academic year. This marks the 30th year the WBCA has recognized academic achievement through this honor roll.

Under the direction of Head Coach Mike Durbin, the 20-member Saint Benedict squad posted a 3.749 GPA—the highest among teams in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). On the court, the Bennies finished the 2024-25 season with a 17-10 overall record and went 11-7 in conference play, placing fifth in the MIAC. They advanced to the MIAC Tournament semifinals for the third consecutive year.

The WBCA, established in 1981, is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels. It provides essential educational resources, networking opportunities, and advocates on behalf of coaches to organizations that govern the game. Each year, the WBCA also celebrates individuals and teams who make significant contributions to the sport and demonstrate excellence on and off the court.