Bug Off!

The BasketCases, along with dozens and dozens of other Maryland fans -- including a bus full of Rebounders -- made the traffic-laden drive down I-95 to Richmond this afternoon (not to mention the bumper to bumper drive back!) to cheer on the Terps as they took on the Richmond Spiders.

The Spiders, who entered today's game 11-2, have been known to inflict a nasty sting on unsuspecting victims. Fortunately however, Maryland's always-prepared coaching staff knew to pack plenty of bug spray (see picture above), which helped keep the bugs at bay early in the game. However, once the Bug Off! wore off, the Spiders jumped out to a modest lead (they were up 43-38 at the half) and forced the Terps to play catch-up well into the second period. But with about 11 minutes remaining and the scored tied at 58, the Turtles proceeded to squash the bugs with a closing 25-7 run, as Maryland recorded its 12th win of the season, 83-65.

Kristi Toliver led all scorers with 21 points. Four other Terps finished in double figures, including the power-post duo of Lynetta Kizer and Dee Liles, who each put up 12 points and also notched double-doubles by pulling down 10 and 11 boards, respectively. Marissa Coleman nearly had a double-double with 14 points (including a few key buckets down the stretch, helping to spark the Terps' big run) and 9 boards (and all this in only 22 minutes, due to some foul trouble). Marah Strickland was once again our not-so-secret weapon off the bench, adding 12 points and keeping her double-digit streak alive for yet another game!

The Maryland fans in attendance did their part too, drowning out the Spider fans with loud chants of "Dee-Fense!" and "Let's Gooooo, Mary-land!" Truly the "team behind the team." And the BasketCases want to give a big shout out to the Spiders' scoreboard operator, who managed to be at least five minutes behind every player substitution (for both teams!) in getting the players' numbers up on the scoreboard. However, during the second half, he totally redeemed himself by repeatedly putting up a big "Dee-Fense" graphic on the not-quite-jumbotron during the Spiders' possessions (!) . . . probably discombobulated by the Maryland fans' loud enthusiastic Dee-Fense chant! (Either that or he's a closet Terp fan.)

Today's challenging, but highly successful, contest ended the Terps' non-conference schedule on a very high note, both for the team and their fans. A good prelude to the always-tough ACC schedule, which tips off this Thursday when Maryland takes on the currently undefeated Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Comcast. This is when the season really gets interesting! See you Thursday.

Photo Credit: DC BasketCases