STANDISH, ME - The Saint Joseph's College women's basketball team ranked amongst the nation's leaders in academic performance with a spot on the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll, which was released on Wednesday afternoon.

With a team grade point average of 3.505, the Monks, ranked 15th overall, are one of only two Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) teams listed in the Top 25 Honor Roll this year. Emerson College also claimed the high academic honor. Also, Saint Joseph's is the only Maine college or university to make the Top 25 and one of three - along with Emerson and Castleton State College - from the New England Region to earn the prestigious award.

Overall, eight of the team's nine second-year or higher student-athletes earned 2013 GNAC All-Academic honors, an accolade bestowed upon those who held a 3.25 cumulative grade point average or better during the 2012-13 academic year and completed at least one full season of competition at a GNAC institution. Freshmen are not eligible to receive the conference academic honor.

The WBCA Academic Top 25 annually recognizes women's basketball teams across the nation in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, the NAIA, and junior/community colleges that carry the highest combined grade point averages (GPAs) inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2012-13 season is the 18th in which the WBCA has produced the honor rolls.

Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll - NCAA Division III:

Gustavus Adolphus College is making its 15th appearance on the NCAA Division III honor roll -- its first at No. 1. Coached by Laurie Kelly, the Golden Gusties finished the season with a 15-11 record.

Nine of the top 26 teams earned a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament.

Here is the complete 2013 WBCA Academic Top 25 for NCAA Division III (**-NCAA tournament):