SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball program achieved a milestone off the court, earning a spot on the 2025-26 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for the first time in school history.

The Lady Bisons posted a 3.776 cumulative team grade-point average for the entire 2025-26 academic year, ranking No. 10 among all NCAA Division II women's basketball programs nationwide.

The recognition caps off a remarkable 2025-26 campaign for head coach Tim Kirby's squad, which captured the Great American Conference regular-season championship, earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament, and finished with 24 victories.

"The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women's basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The 119 ranked teams we honor this year across all five collegiate membership divisions strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!"

The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes college women's basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2025-26 season marks the 31st year the WBCA has compiled the honor roll.

Harding was one of three Great American Conference programs to earn a spot in the Division II Top 25, joined by Northwestern Oklahoma State (No. 4, 3.826 GPA) and Ouachita Baptist (No. 22, 3.729 GPA). Mercy University claimed the top spot in NCAA Division II with a 3.853 team GPA.

The national academic honor comes after three Lady Bisons—Josie Williams, Amelia Rogers, and Allie Rehl—were named College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honorees earlier this year.

2025-26 WBCA NCAA Division II Academic Top 10

1. Mercy University – 3.853 GPA

2. Florida Southern College – 3.849 GPA

3. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) – 3.841 GPA

4. Northwestern Oklahoma State University – 3.826 GPA

5. East Stroudsburg University – 3.825 GPA

6. Southwest Minnesota State University – 3.811 GPA

7. Colorado Mesa University – 3.797 GPA

8. Goldey-Beacom College – 3.790 GPA

9. Fort Hays State University – 3.787 GPA

10. Harding University – 3.776 GPA