Jan. 15, 2009
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In a physical game where points at time seemed scarce, the Maryland women's basketball team found a way to emerge victorious at Clemson, taking a 65-56 decision to move to 2-1 in the ACC. Maryland was led by Marissa Coleman, who knocked down 19 points.
After spotting Clemson (10-7, 1-3) an early 5-0 lead, the Terrapins (14-3, 2-1) went on a 23-5 run midway through the first half to take control. Maryland went into halftime maintaining a 35-26, and would never relinquish it.
Outrebounded by 17 at Duke on Monday night, the Terps turned the tables on the Tigers, winning the battle of the boards 50-35. The Terps pulled down 11 of their 15 offensive rebounds as they took control of the game in the first half.
Although they never could take the lead back from Maryland, the Tigers cut the nine-point deficit to four with under 90 seconds to play. Up 56-52, Maryland brought the ball upcourt and, with just over a minute to play, found Marissa Coleman free from long range. Coleman knocked down the trey, extending the lead to seven and effectively ending the Clemson comeback attempt.
Senior Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood finished a point shy of her first career double-double, scoring nine while pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds. Wiley-Gatewood hit a three-pointer to extend Maryland's lead to 49-37.
Maryland won thanks to an ability to get to the free throw line and an efficiency once there. The Terps hit 20-of-25 from the charity stripe. Lynetta Kizer, the only Terp who made it to the line at Duke (going 2-for-6) went 5-for-5 on Thursday night. Coleman and Kristi Toliver each went 5-for6 in their chances.
The top three-point shooting team coming into the game, Maryland was held to just 3-for-13 (.231) from long range at Clemson. When the team needed it, though, Coleman smoothly dropped a three-ball in to ice the game away.
With her 19 points, Coleman leaves herself just 11 shy of 1,800 in her career. The senior would be the fourth Terp ever to reach that milestone.
Maryland will return home on Sunday to face Virginia Tech. The Hokies will come to town at 4 p.m. Sunday in just the seventh home game of the season for the Terps.
