MVP Burdick, USA Claim FIBA 3x3 Series Victory

LVFL Cierra Burdick (2011-15) and her USA teammates took home the title over the weekend, and Burdick was named the MVP at the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series stop in Pristina, Kosovo.

The tournament win is the third-ever in the Women's Series for the United States (2022 - Quebec City, 2021 - Klaipeda). The U.S. was represented in Pristina by Burdick, Blake Dietrick, Carlie Littlefield and Camille Zimmerman, and this marks Burdick's second victory along with the triumph in Klaipeda in 2021.

Burdick produced the top player value in the tournament (36.0) and was also first in most key assists (10) and rebounds (37) over five games. She finished third in scoring (26 points/5.2 ppg.) behind teammate Camille Zimmerman (27) and France's Noemie Brochant (27).

The United States never trailed in its 14-13 win over France in the tournament final. After racing out to a 5-0 lead, the stars and stripes held the momentum with a 10-5 lead at the 4:47 mark. France pulled back to within two, 12-10, with just under 3:00 remaining. Burdick and Zimmerman hit back-to back layups to put the U.S. up 14-10, and the Americans held on to win with suffocating defense. All four Americans scored in the title match, led by Burdick with five points. Burdick also led the U.S. with seven rebounds.

The U.S. advanced to the finals with a 15-13 win over Israel in the semifinals. Down 5-4 with 6:00 left, Dietrick hit a 1-pointer to tie the game and send the U.S. on a 6-0 run to grab its largest lead of the game at 10-5 with 4:00 remaining. With a minute left in the game, the U.S. led 12-10 and Dietrick scored on back-to-back layups to hold Israel's late surge. A pair of Israeli free throws made it a one-point game with 15 seconds left, but Dietrick scored again, her fifth point of the game, to secure the Americans' ticket to the finals. Zimmerman scored eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds to pace USA.

The U.S. earned a 17-11 win over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. After a slow start from both teams, the Americans went on a 11-2 run to jump out to a 12-4 advantage. The Netherlands pulled to within six points with just under a minute remaining, but the U.S. was able to add a basket and play dominant defense to hold on to the win. The U.S. held the Netherlands to just 6-for-23 (.260), including 1-for-9 (.111) from 2-point range. Burdick led the way for the U.S. with 10 points and six rebounds. Dietrick pulled down seven rebounds.

The United States ran through pool play with wins over Azerbaijan and Gyor. In its opening game vs. Azerbaijan, the U.S. ended its 22-3 win on a 21-0 run. Dietrick and Zimmermann led the U.S. in scoring with seven points apiece, while Burdick pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. The U.S. never trailed in its 18-14 pool play win vs. Gyor, leading by as many as seven points. Burdick led the Americans with seven points and 12 rebounds in the victory.

University of Tennessee Athletics

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