Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus UCLA on March 29, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 70
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Women's Basketball
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70
Alana Beard Named ACC Player of the Year For Third Straight Year
3/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 7, 2004
By AARON BEARD
The Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C.--For the second time in a week, Alana Beard made Atlantic Coast Conference history.
After being the first player named to the first-team all-conference team four times, Beard is now the first three-time winner of the The Associated Press player of the year award in the ACC.
Beard was the unanimous pick for 2003-04, capturing all 49 votes cast by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association in results released Sunday. It was the fifth win in a row by a Duke player. Georgia Schweitzer took the award in 2000 and 2001.
Four other players had won two player of the year awards, but Beard surpassed them by leading Duke (26-3) to its fourth straight regular-season title.
"I think it speaks a lot not about myself individually, but about this program," Beard said. "The coaches take you to another level. They elevate your game."
Beard, who was named the league's top rookie in 2001, averaged a league-best 20.8 points to go with 5.1 rebounds per game in the regular season. She shot 52 percent from the floor - including 38 percent from 3-point range - and 78 percent from the line.
She also was dominant defensively, tying for first in the league in steals (2.4) and tying for fifth in blocks (1.3) heading into the conference tournament.
The 5-foot-11 guard set the Duke career scoring record earlier this season and is the first women's basketball player to have her jersey retired by the school. She's a two-time AP All-America first-team pick and has led the Blue Devils to consecutive Final Fours.
Beard and the Blue Devils are now one win away from becoming the first team to win five straight ACC tournaments. She scored 21 points Sunday to help the Blue Devils rally past Maryland 70-63 in the semifinals.
The question now is where Beard - the ACC's No. 2 career scorer - ranks in league history.
"Of the players I've seen, I think Alana's the greatest player in the history of our conference," said Duke coach Gail Goestenkors, who was named the league's coach of the year Friday.
North Carolina State coach Kay Yow, in her 29th season in the league, compared Beard to Dawn Staley, who led Virginia to three straight Final Fours and was a two-time ACC player of the year.
"They have such a determination and a will to win," Yow said. "It just comes out in everything, in actions and words. They're just great leaders. They exude confidence. If you're playing with them, I think you just automatically expect to do well."
Beard said she's motivated most to win and "see that joy across my teammates' faces and my coaches' faces." But she also said she personally hates losing.
"I don't want to admit it because you've got to take your losses and learn from them," she said. "But if you beat me, you'd better watch out the next time. I can't stand losing. Ask my teammates in practice. Even if it's just a little drill, I get so upset."
Beard is the most competitive person she's ever been around, Goestenkors said. The coach, who was an NAIA All-American while at Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State from 1981-85, said she beat Beard in games of P-I-G a few times this year.
"We have to continue to play until she beats me," Goestenkors said. "She cannot leave the court having lost."
Beard said she dreams every night about winning the national championship that has eluded her and the Blue Devils. She also has a hard time believing that her stellar college career is in its final month.
"It felt like I was just crying on my parents' shoulders when they were getting in the van to go back to Louisiana (four years ago)," Beard said. "I swear this season has flown by. I can't even remember all the games we've had."
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