Maryland Women's Basketball to Host #2/3 North Carolina
1/23/2009 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 23, 2009
Maryland Statements on the Passing of Kay Yow
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After a week off, the Maryland women's basketball team returns to action Sunday when they welcome the No. 2/3 North Carolina Tar Heels to Comcast Center in a pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference contest.
Maryland (15-3) and North Carolina (17-2) each enter Sunday's game 3-1 in the ACC, a game behind Duke and Florida State for first place in the league. However, while Maryland has won its last two games and eight of its last nine, North Carolina has lost two in a row for the first time since the 2003-04 season.
The Terps were last in action last Sunday, when they put together one of their most complete efforts of the season in a 96-79 victory over Virginia Tech. Maryland was led offensively by its seniors, as Kristi Toliver poured in 29 points and Marissa Coleman knocked down 21. Freshman Lynetta Kizer and junior Demauria Liles each also had big days, as they put up 12 points and 12 rebounds each for double-doubles.
It was a milestone day for the seniors. Coleman became just the fourth Terp ever to score at least 1,800 career points, while Toliver was the fifth to reach 1,700. Toliver also tied a program record with eight three-pointers. She went 8-for-10 overall on the day.
Maryland is riding a 28-game home winning streak, a streak which dates back to the beginning of the 2007-08 season. During that time, the Terps have defeated five ranked opponents at Comcast Center, most recently taking down No. 25 Wake Forest, 92-65, on January 8.
Coming in ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll and No. 3 by the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, the Tar Heels are the highest ranked team Maryland has faced at home since its streak began. In fact, the last time Maryland went up against a higher ranked opponent at home, it was a battle with No. 1/1 Duke on February 18, 2007. The Terps lost that game, the last time they dropped a contest at home.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Coverage will be available on television on ESPN2. The game will also be aired on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network (flagships 105.7 FM and 1300 AM) and WMUC Sports at www.WMUCSports.com. Fans can also find the game on ACC Select at www.ACCSelect.com.
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