TAMPA, FL. – Team Cheryl Miller defeated Team Nancy Lieberman in the Women’s College All-Star game, 71-59, in a game featuring several future WNBA stars. After completing their college careers, they all played an exhibition match during the Final Four weekend to showcase themselves to different WNBA front offices. As they work to improve their draft stock, the players in the All-Star game showed in front of a packed crowd.
The game started close and competitive, with Team Lieberman taking the lead, 21-20, at the end of the first quarter. Harvard star and Mid-Major Player Of The Year, Harmoni Turner led the way with nine points, adding one rebound as well. Izzy Higginbottom scored four of her six points to help her team as well. Team Miller was led by Dazia Lawrence, who scored five points. Lucy Olsen only scored four of her eight points in the period, but she was very active on defense, getting two steals in the opening half. The first quarter was tightly contested, with neither team gaining a firm lead. However, Team Miller opened up the gap as the first half came to a close.
After the second quarter, Team Miller took a 35-31 lead entering the half. Michelle Onyah finished the half with four points to go along with five rebounds. Alyssa Utsby scored five points and added six rebounds in the first half for Team Lieberman. Both teams struggled to shoot the ball in the first half, with Team Miller making 15 shots on their 41 attempts (36.6%), and Team Lieberman making nine shots on 33 attempts (27.3%). Team Miller took the lead thanks to the 12 turnovers they forced, turning them into 10 points in the opening half. As both teams went to the locker rooms, Team Miller kept their foot on the gas to seal the win.
At the end of the third quarter, Team Miller extended their lead to 51-41. They saw more of their shots go in the second half, making 16 of their 33 attempts (48%) while Team Lieberman made eight of their 28 attempts (29%). Deyona Gaston played well in the third period for her team, scoring seven points and grabbing three rebounds. Makayla Timpson scored four points in the contest, but she blocked three shots, showing her defensive abilities to different WNBA front offices in attendance. Diamond Johnson scored four of her 21 points in the third, adding four rebounds and two steals in the win. As the two teams showed out for the sold-out crowd, a unique moment capped off a memorable game.
At the halfway point of the fourth quarter, the clock stopped, and a target score was determined. They added 10 points to the highest score, Team Miller’s 61, and determined 71 was the target score to win the game. As the contest continued, each team fought until the end. With the score 68-59, Team Miller knew they needed a three-pointer to win. Lawrence stepped up when the moment needed her, and nailed the game-winning three-pointer for Team Miller. It was her only made three-point shot on four attempts, and it came at the best time. Even though she struggled overall in the game, Jewel Spear had some moments of greatness, doing her best to show out in front of different WNBA front offices. She has incredible potential, and as she transitions to the next level, many teams will want to get her in the draft. The College All-Star game served as a fun event for the fans and the players, while giving the players one last chance to show what they had before the draft. As the weekend is mainly focused on the Final Four, this opportunity wasn’t taken lightly by anyone participating.
