March 3, 2004

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The 2003-04 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive Team spotlights five players representing four league teams as the conference's top defensive players. The ACC All-Defensive team is selected by the nine ACC women's basketball head coaches.

Duke senior Alana Beard leads the league in steals this season, averaging 2.44 per game and currently ranks fifth in the ACC in blocks, averaging 1.33 per contest. Entering this year's ACC Tournament, Beard stands fourth in ACC history with 390 career steals and 20th with 139 career blocks. This is her fourth-straight ACC All-Defensive honor.

Virginia's LaTonya Blue ranks third in the conference this season in steals per game, averaging 2.33 per outing. The junior is also among league leaders in defensive rebounds, averaging over four defensive boards per game.

NC State senior Nanna Rivers currently stands third in the league in assist/turnover ratio, having dished out 102 assists and committing only 58 turnovers (1.76). River is just the second NC State player to be honored on the ACC All-Defensive team.

Wake Forest forward Tracy Alston has tallied 14 steals and three blocks this season. She has pulled down 77 rebounds, 54 coming off of the defensive glass. Alston becomes just the second Demon Deacon to appear on the ACC All-Defensive team.

Duke sophomore Lindsey Harding paces the ACC heading into the Tournament in assist/turnover ratio. She has recorded 132 assists, while committing only 61 turnovers (2.16). Harding is also averaging 1.93 steals per game this season.

The 27th annual ACC Women's Basketball Tournament will take place in the Greensboro Coliseum this weekend, beginning on Friday, March 5 and concluding on Monday, March 8.

2003-04 ACC All-Defensive Team
Alana Beard.................. Duke
LaTonya Blue................. Virginia
Nanna Rivers................. NC State
Tracy Alston................. Wake Forest
Lindsey Harding.............. Duke