Feb. 16, 2012

Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Tianna Hawkins notched a career-high 26 points and Alyssa Thomas added 16 to lead No. 7 Maryland past Virginia, 73-56, Thursday night at John Paul Jones Arena. The win was victory No. 300 for head coach Brenda Frese.

Hawkins, who leads the nation with her field goal percentage of 65 percent, was 12-13 from the field and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. Thomas added 10 boards for her sixth double-double of the season.

The Terrapins (22-4, 9-4 ACC) dominated the inside game, out rebounding the Cavaliers 53-26, and beating them in the paint, 48-20.

"I thought we really set the tone tonight with our defense and rebounding. Those are the things that you have to have as you are going down the stretch here in February getting ready for postseason play," head coach Brenda Frese said. "I'm just really proud of our intensity that we played with tonight for 40 minutes and just getting better in terms of what we are doing. Obviously, the last two years we have come in here and sprinted out of here in terms of those battles. I'm just proud that we were able to play with a lot of energy and intensity tonight."

Ariana Moorer led Virginia with 23 points and Ataira Franklin had 10.

Laurin Mincy added nine points and eight rebounds, while Alicia DeVaughn had eight points and boards as well. Lynetta Kizer scored eight.

The Cavaliers came into the game ranked 18th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 52.9 points per game, but nearly gave up that many by halftime. Maryland took charge early to lead 44-21 at the break. The Cavaliers (18-9, 6-7) fought back in the second half, but never got closer than 11.

Early in the game, the Terrapins built a 22-8 cushion and scored 30 of their first 32 points in the paint. They outrebounded the Cavs 29-10 in the first period.

Hawkins had 15 points and 10 rebounds by the break, and Maryland's 15 second-chance points almost matched Virginia's total.

The Terrapins stretched their margin to 24 several times in the second half before Virginia rallied. A jumper by Franklin, two free throws by Moorer and a steal and layup by Moorer made it 57-46, inciting the crowd and prompting Frese to call timeout.

Hawkins steadied things with a jumper, and after Virginia missed, Alicia DeVaughn's putback rebuilt the lead to 61-46.

The Cavaliers lost 68-61 at College Park on Jan. 16, but quickly found themselves hoping just to get that close in the rematch.

Next, the Terrapins return home to play host to No. 5 Duke (22-3, 12-0) Sunday at 3 p.m. in Comcast Center. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m.

The game is a Red Out game, so all fans are encouraged to wear red. Maryland will be honoring its women's basketball alumni during Sunday's game. For tickets to Sunday's game, log on to the Terrapin Ticket Office online at umterps.com or call 1-800-IM-A-TERP.

The Terps-Duke game will be shown live on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com. It will also be broadcast on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network and can be heard on WJZ 1300 AM and 930 WFMD.

The Blue Devils topped the Terrapins, 80-72, Jan. 22 in Durham, N.C.

Maryland is ranked No. 8 in both the latest Associated Press poll and No. 7 the latest ESPN/USA Today Division I Top 25 Coaches' poll.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.