April 5, 2006
BOSTON (AP) -All season, the Maryland women's basketball players had to hear about the disadvantages that came with youth.
Now it's the best thing they have going for them.
The Terrapins' entire lineup will be back next year to defend the title they won Tuesday night with a 78-75, overtime victory over Duke in the NCAA final. And that has Maryland thinking repeat.
"Having us come back full force next year is going to be a confidence booster for us," said guard Shay Doron, a junior who was the only upperclassman who played significant minutes in the championship game.
"We're shooting to be back next year," she said. "The first one's sweeter than ever. But doing it again can make history at Maryland. I'd love to leave as a senior as a national champion again."
Doron started alongside two sophomores and two freshmen in the national championship game, and two more sophomores were in the rotation as reserves. Senior Charmaine Carr played three minutes and grabbed one rebound.
"Age is just a number," said coach Brenda Frese, who at 35 is the fifth-youngest women's coach to claim a title. "When you've got kids that believe and they believe in each other and they've got that kind of confidence, you can accomplish anything as a team."
Falling behind 45-32 with 14:53 to play in regulation, Maryland (34-4) went ahead 59-58 with 5:22 to play - their first lead since going ahead 2-1. Down 70-67 for their final possession of regulation, freshman Kristi Toliver quickly but calmly brought the ball down the court, veered over to her right and sank the game-tying shot.
Toliver also sank two free throws with 35 seconds left in overtime to give Maryland the lead for good. Another freshman, Marissa Coleman, sank another pair with 13 seconds left to provide the final margin of victory.
"The biggest thing is, we never really treated them as freshmen," Frese said. "From the minute they stepped on campus they didn't act or behave like it. They wanted the pressure, they wanted the expectations.
And I think you were able to see, as the game unfolded, our leadership and our veterans really kept us in the game. Once our two young players settled down, they just played with so much confidence. They have put in the time, and they knew they were going to be able to perform."
Duke coach Gail Goestenkors knew better than to hope the young Terrapins would crumble under the pressure. Maryland was 6-0 in overtime this season.
"I've seen it happen too many times," she said. "Every time their games go to overtime, they won. So I've seen many instances where the pressure is really on that they came through."
While Duke talked about heading en masse to Wednesday's WNBA draft to watch Monique Currie (third overall), Mistie Williams (21st) and Jessica Foley (38th) move on, the Terrapins didn't have any reason to.
They already knew what they'll be doing next year.
"You hope that we're building a dynasty here," Frese said. "I don't even want to look ahead to next year because I want to enjoy this year."
