Just a Little Short.The Terps began tonight's game against Duke a little shorthanded, with Marah Strickland back in Maryland . . . according to ESPN, she was "under the weather." And they finished tonight's game shorthanded, as Marissa Coleman was felled for much of the second half with severe leg cramps. At one point, Rissa even had to be taken back to the locker room for treatment . . . by game's end, she could barely stand, let alone play. With those handicaps, it would be tough to play anywhere, let alone at Cameron Indoor. But despite that, Maryland battled for a full 40 minutes, only to come up just a little short, losing 65-68.
Maryland put up a valiant effort against the higher-ranked Blue Devils. For much of the first half, the teams traded leads on nearly every possession. But a scoring drought by the Terps late in that period sent them into the break down by 11 (29-40). They regrouped after the half, and fought back hard, getting closer and closer until they were up 55-54. But try as they might, the shorthanded Terps just couldn't pull off the upset.
Kristi Toliver, who played 38 minutes, scored 12 points, all in the second half. Rookie Lynetta Kizer, facing the Cameron Crazies for the first time in her career, showed why she was a McDonalds All-American, posting a big double-double (12 points and 13 boards). With Marah ailing, Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood and Anjale Barrett were called upon to play extra minutes . . . and both stepped up and hit huge three-pointers at critical moments.
We're not happy about the loss, and we're sure the coaches and players are disappointed as well. But we are happy about the heart the team showed tonight. We are happy about the balanced effort we saw. We are happy about the way the veteran players and the younger players are showing signs of coming together. As Beth Mowins of ESPN points out, there are plenty of positives to take away from this game -- and there are plenty of reasons to be proud of the Terps.
posted by BasketCases @ 10:31 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
They played a solid and competitive game, but unfortunately came up short this time. It could have gone either way. I hope KT doesn't beat herself up for missing that 3 toward the end. Is it my imagination, or does Coach B look a little calmer on the sidelines?
I agree about the calmer look on the sidelines, and I'm seriously proud of the way they played. I'm not as proud of Joanne P. 'Street Ball' McCallie. What was up with her not remembering KT and Rissa's names - referring to them as '20' and '25'? Was it because she had never beaten them until the ACC tourney last year and didn't want to remember their names? Maybe she just can't read the names on the jerseys. I suppose it will be a waste of time for us to create signs for the game when we host duke at Comcast - she apparently won't be able to read them. :) Anyway, proud of the Terps. They definitely do look like they're coming together.
In case you didn't see it this morning, Beth Mowins has a wonderful article on ESPN online. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/columns/story?columnist=mowins_beth&id=3829166
It is indeed a great article. We were busy linking to it while you were commenting on it; a cross in cyberspace! Many thanks!
-- BC
Amazingly, only one Maryland player went to the free throw line over the course of the entire game. She, Kizer, shot 6 FTs. I think we average close to 20 a game. Duke shot about 15 FTs or so. Every time Eric Brewton refs a MD game, we get hosed.
Kudos to Anjale' on a great game and for really stepping up. Hope to see more of her. Hope Marah is feeling better and that Marissa bounces back. Looking forward to the rematch at Comcast.
BTW: Very funny picture...
Much as I don't like giving dukies any credit, I was impressed by their sportswomanship at the end of the game - going to hug Marissa as she sat at the end of the MD bench with cramps, unable to get up. I know she a Waner are tight, but it was a nice move that the team did that. Showed class, in spite of their coach.
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