The third time is the most satisfying for Alana Beard.

The Duke senior with a smooth jumper and moves to match became just the second three-time member of the Associated Press women’s college basketball All-America team Tuesday.

She was a unanimous selection on a squad that also features Connecticut’s Diana Taurasi, Penn State’s Kelly Mazzante, Stanford’s Nicole Powell and Kansas State’s Nicole Ohlde.

The only other player with three first-team selections was Tennessee’s Chamique Holdsclaw in 1997-99. The AP has been picking a women’s All-America team since 1995.

“Anytime you’re associated with the name Chamique Holdsclaw, it’s always an honor,” Beard said. “And to be a first-team All-American, when there are so many good players out there, and then to do it three times — it’s definitely a blessing.”

Beard was a first-team choice on all 47 ballots from the national media panel that votes on the weekly top 25, receiving the maximum 235 points. Each voter picked three teams, and players received points on a 5-3-1 basis.

Taurasi had 45 first-team votes and 231 points, Mazzante had 36 and 207, while Powell had 25 and 183. Ohlde received 24 first-team votes and 172 points.

Beard averaged 20.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals, while shooting 51 percent from the field.

Taurasi led UConn this season in scoring (15.5), assists (4.9), three-pointers (68) and steals (50). Taurasi recalled that when Auriemma recruited her, he told her she had a chance to become a great player.

Mazzante averaged 20.8 points this season and broke the Big Ten’s career scoring record.

At 6-foot-5, Ohlde is as mobile as a small forward and often outruns defenders in the open court. She led a resurgence in women’s basketball at Kansas State, became the Big 12 Conference’s career scoring leader and averaged 17 points while shooting 57 percent this season.

Powell led the Cardinal this season in scoring (20.0), rebounding (11.1), assists (3.8) and steals (52).