ST. LOUIS — Marie Ferdinand scored 10 points and added three rebounds and two steals to earn MVP honors for her team in Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Star Challenge Saturday afternoon at the Washington University Field House.
Despite Ferdinand’s effort, the Blues fell to the Jazz, 74-66 in front of a near-capacity crowd of 2,800. Semeka Randall led the Jazz with 17 points en route to MVP honors for the Jazz.
The game, held in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Final Four being played in St. Louis, featured the top Division I seniors in the nation, as well as the Division II, Division III and NAIA national players of the year.
The game was a big hit for players and fans alike as the crowd was treated to a wide-open affair. The Jazz hit 53 percent from the floor and held a 38-28 edge on the boards. The Blues came up with eight steals as the two clubs combined for just 18 fouls. Randall added six rebounds and three steals as four Jazz finished in double figures.
Washington U.’s Tasha Rodgers, the Division III Player of the Year, was impressive as she played the final game of her career on her home court. She scored 10 points on five-of-seven shooting and added three rebounds and two steals. Tulane’s Janell Burse had 14 points and eight rebounds and Georgia’s Kelly Miller had 11 points. Duke’s Georgia Schweitzer tallied six rebounds and five assists.
LaQuanda Barksdale of North Carolina had 12 points and Coco Miller of Georgia had 10 points and five rebounds in a losing effort for the Blues.
Xavier’s Nicole Levandusky, who won the three-point shooting contest also held Saturday, added nine points.