Nov. 26, 2008

CANCUN, Mexico - On a road trip that could easily be mistaken for a winter vacation, the Maryland women's basketball team reminded everyone that they were on a business trip on Wednesday, as the Terrapins dominated the second half en route to a 68-56 victory over South Dakota State at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico, tipping off the Cancun Caribbean Challenge. Four Terps scored in double figures, led by senior Kristi Toliver's 16.

Senior Marissa Coleman, junior Demauria Liles and freshman Lynetta Kizer added 15 each.

"It was a hard fought game," said head coach Brenda Frese. "It was back-and-forth. I thought they did a great job taking us out of our actions in the first half. In the second, we were a lot more aggressive and made a lot of hustle plays. I'm proud of the fact that we were able to come back in the second half, and quite honestly, that we were able to make plays."

Both Coleman and Toliver continued to work their way up the Terrapins' all-time scoring list on Wednesday. Coleman finished the day with 1,631 career points, one more than Marcia Richardson scored in her illustrious career. Coleman now sits in fifth place all time. Toliver's 16 gave her 1,520, leaving her in ninth place all-time.

Maryland jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, but the Jackrabbits settled down and the game evolved into a defensive struggle for much of the first half. Late in the period, South Dakota State went on a run that put them up, 25-18, but after head coach Brenda Frese called a timeout, Maryland came charging back. Coming out of the timeout, Lynetta Kizer powered her way to six straight points to pull the Terps within one at the break. Maryland extended its run to 13-0 in the early stages of the second half, taking the lead back. Kizer hit a layup and was fouled, adding the free throw right out of the gate. Marissa Coleman followed with two successive layups before South Dakota State was forced to call a timeout.

After the Jackrabbits scored to break the run, Coleman hit another fadeaway jumper on the baseline to give herself 14 points in the game. With the shot, she tied Marcia Richardson for fifth place on the Terrapins' all-time scoring list with 1,630 points. A free throw shortly after put Coleman in fifth by herself.

Next within Coleman's sights is Christy Winters, who poured in 1,679 points in her Terrapin career. Crystal Langhorne holds the all-time record with 2,247 points.

Later in the second half, Kristi Toliver hit a three-pointer to give her nine points in the game. With those scores, she moved into ninth place all-time for the Terps, moving past Deedee Warley and her 1,512 career points.

More importantly in the scheme of Wednesday's game, the trey was the first for the Terps after absorbing four big first-half three's by the Jackrabbits. Toliver would score the next five Terrapin points as well, including another basket from downtown as Maryland began to put the challengers from the Summit League away.

The intermission worked wonders for the Terps, as they came out more aggressive and playing smart in the second half. Maryland benefitted from the post play of Kizer and Liles, who each pulled down 10 points to earn their second career double-doubles.

"We slowed down a little on the offensive end," Frese said of the play in the second half. "We wanted to create better shots and make the extra pass and just play unselfish basketball. I thought we were able to get in a better groove in the second half."

The Terps also got a spark off the bench in the second half from Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood, who flew in to grab four rebounds while adding two points and dishing out two assists.

Maryland will be back in action on Thanksgiving Day at the Moon Palace Resort, when they face Montana at 7:00 p.m. E.T.

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