Sept. 15, 2009
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Maryland will play host to the 2009 WNBA Playoffs at 7 p.m. Thursday, as the first game of the Washington Mystics-Indiana Fever series will be played at Comcast Center due to a scheduling conflict at Verizon Center, the Mystics' home arena.
Tickets are currently on sale to the general public online at ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-877-DC-HOOP-1. Parking in the Comcast Center lots will be available for $10 after 6 p.m. The Mystics will also provide complimentary shuttle service from the College Park Metro station to Comcast Center two hours before tip-off and one hour after the end of the game.
The game will serve as a homecoming of sorts for a pair of Mystics, as former Maryland greats Crystal Langhorne and Marissa Coleman will get another chance to play in the building that showcases their jerseys in the rafters.
"Having Crystal and Marissa back on the court where their names and numbers became legendary is great. It is our pleasure to open our doors to the Mystics and their terrific fans. They've had a fun season to follow," Maryland head women's basketball coach Brenda Frese said. "We hope they see why we think Comcast Center is the best basketball facility in the country. We also encourage as many of our fans as possible to come out and make it a real home-court advantage."
A 2008 graduate, Langhorne is the most-decorated player in Maryland history and now a standout in the post for the Mystics. Langhorne is the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder and a three-time Associated Press all-American. Langhorne was also the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year in 2008 and helped lead the Terrapins to the 2006 national championship as a sophomore.
Now the leading rebounder on the Mystics, Langhorne is elated to be returning to her alma mater.
"I never thought I would get to play there again, so to get the chance to do that again is very exciting," Langhorne said. "I think it will be a little weird at first, playing there with a team that's not Maryland, but hopefully I'll be comfortable being back. Hopefully all our great fans come out and support us."
It has been only three months since Coleman last called Comcast Center home. Just last season, Coleman put together a tremendous senior year, averaging more than 18 points and seven rebounds a game to lead the Terps to the ACC regular-season and tournament titles and a regional final appearance. Coleman ranks in Maryland's top-five in numerous all-time categories.
Langhorne averaged 12.0 points per game in the regular season and posted team highs in rebounds and field-goal percentage at 7.9 and .689, respectively. Coleman averaged 6.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in her rookie campaign. Coleman also shot .363 from 3-point range.
The Mystics earned the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Fever are the top seed in the East. The Fever went 4-0 against the Mystics in the regular season.
Thursday's game will be broadcast live on ESPN. Game 2 will be in Indianapolis Saturday with Game 3 scheduled for Monday in Indianapolis, if necessary.
- TERPS -
