Maryland proves it has the stomach for overtime win
ALBUQUERQUE -- First, the Maryland women's basketball team had to battle a virus that spread from player to player to the coach the past two days. Then it had to battle fifth-seeded Utah last night in the final of the Albuquerque Regional of the NCAA Tournament at the Pit at the University of New Mexico.
The second-seeded Terrapins survived both, though. While they might still be sick to their stomachs, the feeling of ecstasy no doubt offset that. The Maryland players danced around the court and cut down the nets after defeating Utah, 75-65, in overtime before 6,823.
The Terrapins (32-4), now headed to Boston, have been to the NCAA Tournament 15 times, but this will be their first time in the Final Four since 1989.
''It was great, and I'm so excited, but I still feel a little under the weather," said freshman guard Kristi Toliver, who had a game-high 28 points.
Sophomore forward Laura Harper added, ''This was no time to have a stomachache, with so much on the line."
Coach Brenda Frese weighed in on the illness, too, saying that it also affected band members, cheerleaders, and team managers.
''It's amazing that we've managed to stay healthy all season long," she said. ''This team really had the heart of a lion tonight."
Utes coach Elaine Elliott was understandably somber, even though this was the first time Utah (27-7) had reached the Elite Eight.
''I have such mixed emotions," she said. ''I'm so proud of this team, but it's an awful feeling to lose and not get to that next step."
Maryland had called off practice yesterday, and it seemed to spell trouble early. Frese was shuttling players from the bench to the floor nonstop during the first half, and using timeouts to let the Terrapins catch their breath.
Maryland shot just 37.9 percent (11 for 29) in the half, but a 3-pointer by Marissa Coleman gave the Terps a 30-28 lead at halftime.
The second half began with a shooting exhibition between Utah's Kim Smith and Maryland's Toliver. Smith, who had scored just 1 point in the first half, scored her team's first 14 points of the second half, and finished with 17.
''I just got my shot back on track," she said.
Toliver was just as damaging as she scored 10 of Maryland's first 14 points.
Frese, who acknowleged that her feistiness on the sideline was just a ruse to disguise how bad she felt, said she groaned when Utah's Shona Thorburn made one of two free throws to tie the score, 63-63, at the end of regulation.
''When we went onto overtime, I was thinking, 'Can we grind this thing out for another five minutes?' " said Frese, whose team was 4-0 in overtime this season.
Harper hit the first two baskets, and Maryland never gave up the lead.
''I don't how we'll feel tomorrow morning," said Frese, ''but I think all the adrenaline and realizing that we're going to the Final Four is going to push us through it." 