Pittsburgh, Pa. - Sophomore guard Mackenzie Blackford of the Duquesne women's basketball team was named to the 2025-26 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® Team on Tuesday. 

The Academic All-District® program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. To be eligible for the distinction, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, maintain at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA), and compete in at least 90 percent of the institution's games or start at least 66 percent of the games.

Blackford, a native of Solon, Ohio, is pursuing a degree as a physician assistant while maintaining an impressive 3.97 cumulative GPA. She appeared in all 31 games for the Dukes this season, making 27 starts. The sophomore guard ranked second on the team in scoring with 10.6 points per game, while adding 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest.

She recorded 14 double-digit scoring performances and led Duquesne in scoring on seven occasions. One of the Atlantic 10's top perimeter threats, Blackford ranked fourth in the conference in both three-pointers per game (2.42) and total threes (75). Her 75 made triples are tied for the seventh-most in a single season in program history. She knocked down at least three three-pointers in 10 games, including four performances with five or more, and tied for the team lead with a 34.6 three-point percentage, good for fifth in the A-10.

The Ohio native posted two 20-point outings during the season, highlighted by a career-high 27-point performance at St. Bonaventure. She also made a strong impact defensively, finishing second on the team with 40 steals. Blackford led the Dukes in steals eight times and recorded multiple takeaways in 10 games.

This marks the first Academic All-District® honor of Blackford's career and the fourth consecutive season a Duquesne student-athlete has earned the recognition.

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