Jan. 17, 2010

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Despite coming back from an 11-point deficit in the first 20 minutes to tie the game at 33-all at halftime, the Terrapins couldn't come out on top against No. 10/11 North Carolina Sunday night. Maryland fell 75-64 in Carmichael Coliseum.

Two players scored double-figures for the Terps, senior Lori Bjork and sophomore Kim Rodgers, with 18 and 11 points, respectively. Rodgers made her debut after sitting out the last four games due to a broken hand in the title game of the Terrapin Classic in December. Rodgers hit a season high-tying three treys, including the one to tie the game at halftime, and pulled down a season-high eight rebounds.

North Carolina took the early lead as Maryland was forced to climb out of as much as an 11-point hole. The young Terrapin squad was up to the challenge as they steadily hacked away at the Tar Heel lead.

Maryland went ahead for the first time during the game with a clutch three-point shot by senior Lori Bjork and two-and-a-half minutes remaining on the clock. North Carolina reclaimed the lead with a successful first shot on a one-and-one from Laura Broomfield followed by a layup from Tierra Ruffin-Pratt. The Terrapins finished out the half with a three-pointer from sophomore Kim Rodgers to knot the score at 33.

This was the second consecutive game the Terps were tied at halftime. When they faced Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Monday the two teams were tied 32-32 as they headed into the locker rooms. The Terrapins never let go of the lead in the second half to defeat UVA 61-60 but would not find the same fate against the Tar Heels.

North Carolina had the first points of the second half but Maryland refused to back down. The Terrapins fell back by 10. Down 54-42, Bjork hit a clutch three at the 10:49 mark followed by a layup from freshman Dara Taylor. Bjork hit another trey to get to 50 prior to Rodgers nailing two free-throws to take the game within two.

North Carolina gained momentum and started to pull away with back-to-back shots by Cetera DeGraffenreid. UNC was led by Chay Shegog who posted 17 points and seven rebounds.

Terrapin freshman guard Dara Taylor earned her 100th career assist and dished out six total against UNC. Taylor leads all freshmen in the league in assists. Freshman Diandra Tchatchouang had four blocks, one shy of her career-best mark.

The Terps have outrebounded their opponent in all but two games. Maryland pulled down 46 boards to UNC's 45. The Terrapins rank No. 2 in the league in rebounding margin (+11.2).

The Terps return home for a game against Miami on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. ET. Single-game ticket packages are available for purchase online at umterps.com or by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP.