July 14, 2008

ATLANTA, Ga. --- The New Mexico women's basketball team ranked No. 22 on the 2007-08 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll released Monday. This award, given in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and Junior College/Community College, honors teams throughout the nation that carry the highest grade point averages (GPA) for the entire season based on the nomination submitted by WBCA-member head coaches.

"One of the goals of our program is to be in the Top 25 academically and on the court," said UNM head coach Don Flanagan. "I'm very pleased with the honor and it's truly a compliment to our players. When you are gone as much as we are it really takes dedication in the classroom. They did a great job and we compliment them for their efforts. This is one of our goals every year and we hope for continued success."

The Lobos are the only team from the Mountain West Conference listed and finished the year with a 3.308 grade point average. UNM is coming off a 20-13 season and their seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Lobos return all but three players in 2008-09 and welcome back all-MWC selection Amy Beggin. Angela Hartill and Amanda Adamson are back for their final season in the Cherry and Silver. Altogether UNM has 11 returners and two newcomers heading into the new year.

The WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for NCAA Division I is as follows:

School-2007-08 Head Coach-Team GPA

1 South Dakota State University-Aaron Johnston-3.669

2 Kansas State University-Debbie Patterson-3.652

3 Indiana State University-Jim Wiedie-3.591

4 Eastern Washington University-Wendy Schuller-3.584

5 Western Carolina University-Kellie J. Harper-3.543

6 University of Northern Iowa-Tanya E. Warren-3.535

7 Eastern Illinois University-Brady Sallee-3.475

8 Manhattan College-Myndi Hill-3.430

9 Utah Valley State College-Cathy Nixon-3.419

10 University of Northern Colorado-Jaime White-3.414

11 Montana State University - Bozeman-Tricia L. Binford-3.392

12 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale-Dana Eikenberg-3.371

13 Niagara University-Kendra Faustin-3.361

14 Liberty University-Carey Green-3.354

15 Saint Bonaventure University-Jim Crowley-3.352

16 University of Maine-Cindy Blodgett-3.345

17 American University-Melissa McFerrin-3.342

T18 Canisius College-Terrence E. Zeh-3.326

T18 North Dakota State University-Amy Ruley-3.326

20 Oakland University-Beckie Francis-3.312

21 Dartmouth College-Christina Wielgus-3.311

22 University of New Mexico-Don Flanagan-3.308

23 Wichita State University-Jane Albright-3.289

24 Valparaiso University-Keith Freeman-3.286

25 Columbia University-Paul E. Nixon-3.278