Dec. 4, 2004

Box Score

CINCINNATI, Ohio - No. 22/23 Terps women's basketball hung on for a 74-72 victory over Xavier at the Cintas Center on Saturday afternoon. Four Terrapins scored in double figures with sophomore Kalika France leading the way with 21 points. Freshman Crystal Langhorne posted her second-consecutive double-double, tallying 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The ACC's Preseason Rookie of the Year, Langhorne (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) netted 14 points in the first half, including scoring 10 straight in a seven-minute span to keep Maryland in front, 34-33, with 1:18 left to play in the period.

There were 10 lead changes and three ties in the first half and the Terps (5-1) never led by more than six points. With 19 seconds remaining before the break, Miranda Green's layup with 19 seconds on the clock gave Xavier a 37-36 edge. However, sophomore Shay Doron (Great Neck, N.Y./Christ the King) knocked down a three-pointer with six seconds left to put Maryland in front, 39-37, heading into the locker room.

The Terrapins seemed to take control in the second half. France (Forestville, Md./Bishop McNamara) scored seven points, keying an 11-2 run, which put Maryland ahead, 59-47, for its biggest lead of the game with 12:29 to go in the game.

Xavier battled back to within a point, 61-60, going on a 13-2 run of its own, capped by a three-point play from Adeloa Olanrewaju at 7:58. Maryland's lead did not grow bigger than five points in the final seven minutes.

Facing a four-point deficit with just 39 ticks on the clock, Xavier called a timeout. When the teams got back on the floor, the Musketeers' Olanrewaju drew a foul with 24 seconds remaining. She sunk both attempts to cut the lead to a basket. Looking to stop the clock, XU immediately committed a foul, but the Terps were not able to capitalize from the charity stripe.

With time winding down, Xavier ran down the court and passed to All-American candidate Tara Boothe who was swarmed by freshmen Laura Harper and Langhorne. Forcing Boothe to make a bad shot, Maryland's Harper hauled down the rebound with two seconds left to secure the win for the Terps.

Doron ended the game with 16 points, a season-high seven rebounds, five assists and a block. Harper contributed 11 points and eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Xavier's Boothe led all scorer's with 23 points, while Suntana Granderson added 28 points. Olanrewaju had 13 points and eight boards.

The Terps return home to open a five-game homestand. They host St. Bonaventure on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.