December 22, 1998

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md.- Despite the return of junior guard Tiffany Brown (Clinton, Md.) and senior guard Kelley Gibson (Easton, Md.), Maryland was defeated by No. 15 Rutgers 81-61 tonight at the First National Bank Court at Cole Field House. Rutgers improved to 9-2 on the season while the Terps dropped to 0-9.

The visiting Knights broke open a 20-20 tie with 5:48 remaining in the first half by outscoring Maryland 11-5 before the intermission. In the second half, Rutgers outscored the Terps 50-36. Junior guard Shawnetta Stewart and sophomore forward Linda Miles each scored 22 points in the winning effort.

"We felt it was important to excel at our half court game," said Rutgers head coach Vivian Stringer. "Maryland came together well and we needed a great effort to beat them. We stayed intense and played well down the stretch."

In making her return to the Terps' starting lineup, Brown scored 11 points, including three three-pointers, dished off seven assists and recorded three steals. Gibson, meanwhile, came off the bench to score 13 points and tally four assists. Junior center Branka Bogunovic (Zemun, Serbia) led the Terps with 14 points

Maryland's next game is on Monday, Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the opening round of the Terrapin Classic Tournament.