Dec. 14, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Each week during the 2012-13 season a Maryland student-athlete, who has shown excellence on and off the playing field, will be selected as the Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week. This week's Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week is Tianna Hawkins from the women's basketball team. Hawkins led Maryland to wins over Virginia and George Mason, as well as a tough loss at No. 2 Connecticut with an average of 20.3 points per game, 9.7 rebounds per game and two double-doubles.

Tianna Hawkins was frustrated. After notching her fifth foul in Maryland's 79-55 rout of Virginia, the senior forward walked off the court shaking her head, incredulously smiling at head coach Brenda Frese.

Forgive the senior for not being more distraught about her disqualification; it coming after Hawkins dominated the Cavaliers inside, recording 20 points and 12 rebounds in the 24-point victory. Quite simply, it has been a pretty good season for the forward.

"I just think this year I know that it's my senior year and it's time for me to take control," Hawkins said. "I have a pretty incredible group of teammates, so it's easy to be ready to play every game."

A key contributor in her first three years in college, Hawkins has emerged as a force this season for suddenly short-handed Terrapins (7-2, 1-0), who is leading the ACC in scoring with just over 19 points and nine rebounds per game. With the squad down to just eight players, Hawkins realizes the necessity of her increased production.

"We're being tested early this year," Hawkins said. "So far, I really feel like we have all learned from each experience and have really risen to the occasion in most cases."

Perhaps the most impressive part of Hawkins early-season performance is her efficiency. The Clinton native is shooting a nation-leading 65.4 percent from the field, notching her impressive totals in just 26 minutes a game.

This was no more on display than in Maryland's 88-45 victory over Loyola. Hawkins scored 33 points, the most by a Terrapin since Marissa Coleman's 42-point explosion against Vanderbilt in 2009, on a scarily efficient 13 for 16 from the field.

A second team All-ACC selection in her junior campaign, Hawkins' ability to score around the rim has been one of the signatures of her play this season.

But Hawkins does more than just score. The Clinton native has combined with junior Alicia DeVaughn and freshman Malina Howard to form one of the more imposing front lines in the ACC.

The trio has helped the Terrapins limit opponents to just 52 points per game on 32 percent from the field, shutting down opposing front court players and altering the shots of any guard that drives into the lane.

"We're proven ourselves as a team that can score easily, so the coaches challenged us and we challenged ourselves to be a better defensive team," Hawkins said. "We have room to improve, but you can definitely see how far we've come."

With expectations for the Maryland always raised, Hawkins' high level of play will be a major factor in a deep NCAA tournament run.