Survivor Comcast.It sure wasn't pretty, but the Terps outplayed and outlasted the Nebraska Cornhuskers tonight to survive the Second Round of the NCAA Tourney, 76-64. Maryland started out strong, leading us to think that, at last, this final game of the season at Comcast would be one of those statement games that the Terps would control decisively, from start to finish. But alas, it was not to be, as Maryland yet again allowed their opponent to close the gap. At the half, the Terps were up only by one, having led by as many as 15.
Maryland continued to struggle after the break until Marissa Coleman finally took over, hitting a big three, followed by another bucket on the very next possession, and making her presence felt on the defensive end. Her energy sparked a mini run that put the Terps up for good. By winning tonight, Maryland not only advances in the Tournament, but also completes an undefeated season at home.
Marissa and Kristi each finished the game with 19 points. And Crystal Langhorne capped her astounding career at Comcast with yet another double-double (18 points, 12 rebounds), and left the game to a well-earned and predictable standing ovation. Indeed, the BasketCases were teary eyed (literally) as we watched this incredible group of women playing together for the very last time in the Maryland arena.
But this very special team does have at least one more game (and hopefully 4 more) to play together. Next up in Spokane, as the win tonight punches the Terps' ticket to the Sweet Sixteen, and a matchup this Saturday against Vandy.
Outplay, Outlast . . . the Regionals await!
posted by BasketCases @ 1:22 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
I'm happy we got to the Regionals, but it seems like we're playing with fire with all the turnovers, the lack of intensity in some cases and easing up on the accelerator when we get a big lead. We can't afford to continue playing like that and expect to get to the Final Four. Let's hope "Momma Brenda" gets the ladies to work on that.
FEAR THE TURTLE!
We're in and that's that! As Howard Dean would say "YeHaw!" The great sub-plot of the evening was the mascot rivalry! I love Testudo but L'il Red is the real deal.
I certainly agree that at times last night, the Lady Terps seemed to lack fire and active hands on defense, but that could be because I was so tired, I lacked my usual fire and intensity in my FANaticism!! Whew! They will need a full 40 minutes of total effort from here on out!! Best of luck and thanks for a great run at Comcast this season!!
BTW: Mystics fans may be familiar with the collapsable mascot - it's seen at Verizon Center too. Come join us!!
14 turnovers, not a TERRIBLE number, but they seem to come in spurts, like 2-3 at a time almost... so they need to stop doing that.. and keep the overall number in the low-teens.
They looked a little better last night than they did against Coppin State. Marah Strickland needs to regain her confidence - she losts lost (as does Mingo) - Coach B is undoubtedly workng on this with her (I saw her take her aside, put her arm around her waist, and chat her up a few times in classic Coach B style). FWIW, the refs were atrocious (again). Seriously, when is WCBB going to take officiating seriously?!?! I'm sick to death of horrid, incompetent officiating. When Dee Kantner is your purported "best" official (according to many posters), you've got problems.
Yeah, we're playing 4-on-5 a lot here, what with Marah not knocking down shots. I don't get it, she had a few open looks (to me anyway) but caught and waited instead of shooting. I'm not gonna bag on Marah for yesterday's game because Harp, who is supposed to know better, was 2-8, 6 boards, 7 pts in 28 minutes. If Marissa cooked dinner, Jade Perry saved the bacon.
Nebraska also exposed a glaring lack of depth at point, but KT doesn't typically get in foul trouble. They ran a lot of big girls at KT, which might have been because could effectively double down on C-Lang because Harp wasn't effective. Anyway, gritty win. Glad we have a "matchup nightmare" in our lineup. Always good to have one. GO TERPS!
Yeah- I would love to see that "match-up nightmare" a.k.a. Marissa Coleman take over a little more and earlier in the game... when she turns it on and plays with the aggression she did in the second half-- very good things happen!
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