The Terps travel to Atlanta where they hope to continue the momentum begun with a 94-76 win over Florida
State on Sunday. Maryland earned its first ACC victory of the season as freshman Ginji Perry (Hyattsville, Md.)
poured in a career-high 27 points and the Terrapins shot 63 percent >from the field. Maryland led 50-25 at the break
and coasted before its largest home crowd of the season, 2,622. The win earned head coach Chris Weller her 450th
career victory.
Against the Jackets, the storyline is one of Freshmen vs. Freshman. Maryland brings a host of talented
youngsters - six on the roster and four regulars - to Georgia Tech who boasts perhaps the ACC's most
impressive newcomer to date in Neisha Butler. Butler, the ACC's leading scorer with a 21.1-point average in seven
league games, has been tabbed the conference rookie of the week on six occasions. Perry, this week's recipient, and
teammate Deedee Warley (Fort Washington, Md.), represent Maryland as the only other school with more than
one award through ten weeks of the season.
Duke at Georgia Tech, 2 p.m.
RECORDS
Maryland is 3-13 overall and 1-6 in the ACC following its 94-76 win over Florida State. Georgia Tech enters
the week at 9-7 overall and 2-5 in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets host state-rival Georgia on Monday.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Terps play 10 games this season against teams currently ranked in national top 25 polls. This week's
rankings:
AP (Jan. 18) ESPN/USA Today (Jan. 18)
7. North Carolina 6. North Carolina
11. Duke 12. Rutgers
15. Rutgers 15. Duke
16. Clemson 16. Clemson
17. Penn State 18. Penn State
19. Virginia 21. Virginia
COACHES
Maryland's Chris Weller (Maryland OE66) has guided her alma mater to a national championship game and
three Final Four appearances. Now in her 24th season, she has engineered an unprecedented eight ACC
championships while compiling a 450-233 (.659) overall record. She is 162-115 (.585) in the Atlantic Coast
Conference. In 1995, she became just the fifth coach in women's college basketball history to earn at least 400
victories at the same school. Three years earlier, her Terps were No. 1-ranked for a month which led to her naming
as the 1992 Naismith and USBWA national coach of the year.
Weller is 30-8 lifetime against Georgia Tech, and 16-6 vs. Agnus Berenato.
Georgia Tech's Agnus Berenato (Mount St. Mary's OE80) is 213-203 in her 15th season as a college head coach.
She is 153-148 in her 11th season with the Yellow Jackets, and 53-107 in ACC games. She guided Tech to an NCAA
Tournament appearance in 1993, and the National Women's Invitational Tournament championship in 1992.
SERIES HISTORY
Maryland and Georgia Tech have met 38 times overall, dating to the opening game of the 1979-80 campaign.
Maryland is 30-8 against the Yellow Jackets including three in a row. The Terrapins won last year's meeting at
Alexander Memorial Coliseum, 68-57, after dropping back-to-back road efforts in 1996 and 1997.
NEXT GAMES
Maryland hosts Clemson in a return to Cole Field House on Thursday, Jan. 28. Maryland appears on ACC
regional television games on three consecutive Mondays beginning Feb. 1 at Duke.
RADIO/TV SCHEDULE
Seventeen Maryland women's basketball games are carried on live radio this season between the
Maryland/Learfield Network with WBAL (1090-AM) in Baltimore as the flagship station, and campus radio
station WMUC (650-AM and 88.1-FM).
The Terps appear on four regionally televised games during the ACC season beginning with a Jan. 21 date at
Georgia Tech. Subsequent dates include Maryland at Duke on Feb. 1, Virginia at Maryland on Feb. 8, and
Maryland at NC State on Feb. 15.
Remaining games on the Terrapin radio/TV broadcast schedule:
Jan. 21 at Georgia Tech FOXSS-TV
Jan. 28 Clemson WMUC
Feb. 1 at Duke RSN-TV
Feb. 3 Morgan State WMUC
Feb. 8 Virginia WMUC/RSN-TV
Feb. 11 North Carolina WMUC
Feb. 15 at NC State RSN-TV
Feb. 21 Georgia Tech WMUC
FOXSS-TV denotes FOX Sports South
RSN-TV denotes Home Team Sports, FOX Sports South and Sunshine Network.
TERP TICKETS
Tickets for Terrapin women's basketball games are available by calling the Terp ticket office at 301-314-7070 or
800-462-TERP. Tickets for all home games are $5 for adults and $3 for youth 18 and under.
TERP PROMOTIONS
Information or additional group tickets may be obtained by calling the Maryland sports marketing office at
301-314-5252.
Maryland's Jan. 28 game vs. Clemson is CYO Night. Youngsters from Catholic Youth Organization basketball
leagues from Baltimore and D.C. areas will be in attendance.
AAU teams and teams from local schools will be in attendance when the Terps host Virginia on Feb. 8. Special
group rates are available for all teams and guests from local and regional AAU affiliations or schools. Also that
night, an exhibition contest will take place at halftime featuring teams competing in the NIKE 3-for-All. The NIKE
event is a national competition, with local competitors featured in a halftime exhibition during the Maryland-
Virginia game. Regional competition for the NIKE 3-for-All takes place that week at sites around College Park.
The North Carolina game on Feb. 11 honors National Women in Sport Week. Schools around the ACC invite
their fans to "Bring a Girl to a Game" during the annual week that promotes women in sports. The Maryland-
North Carolina game is Bring a Girl to a Game Night.
MARYLAND SPORTS ON THE INTERNET
All the latest in Terrapin sports news is at your computer fingertips by accessing www.umterps.com. Men's
and women's basketball recaps are available following every game, as well as biographies on every player and a
look back at Terrapin history. Notes and statistics are updated weekly.
Recently added to the Terrapin Web Site is a new On-Line shopping area where visitors and fans can shop
exclusively for Maryland merchandise and products.
TERRAPIN FANPHONE
Information on Maryland athletics and a recap of every Maryland men's and women's basketball game can be
obtained by calling the Terrapin Fanphone at 301-314-TERP.
TERRAPIN NOTEBOOK
FIVE IN DOUBLE FIGURES PACE ACC VICTORY
Five Terrapin players scored in double figures on Sunday afternoon as Maryland recorded its first ACC victory
of the season and scored the most points by a Terp team in three seasons.
Freshman Ginji Perry led the assault with 17 first half points en route to a career-best 27-point performance.
Branka Bogunovic (Zemun, Serbia) and Deedee Warley each added 14 points, Marche Strickland added 13 and
Kelley Gibson (Easton, Md.) scored 12.
Gibson recorded her first double-double of the season while adding a career-high 10 assists. Others getting into
the act were forward Cara Ferris (Pensacola, Fla.) whose nine points and six steals were both career highs. Junior
guard Tiffany Brown (Clinton, Md.) had eight assists.
All told, Maryland shot 63 percent from the floor while racing to a 16-5 lead and a 50-25 halftime advantage. It
was the most first half points scored by a Maryland team since setting a school record with 72 in the first half
against Drexel on Dec. 1, 1992. Maryland later would lead by 30 points to mark its largest lead of the season.
SCOREBOARD SHATTERING
Not only was Maryland's 94 points against Florida State its best output of the season, here are a few other
particulars:
The Terps, 94 points was its best scoring output since a 95-41 win over Iona on Jan. 22, 1997. It was
Maryland's best scoring performance in three seasons.
Maryland led 50-25 at halftime to register its most points in an opening period since scoring a school-record
72 points vs. Drexel on Dec. 1, 1992.
Maryland's 50 first half points were the team's most in any half since scoring 55 in the second half of last
year's upset of No. 7 North Carolina.
Maryland's 63 percent shooting was its best in several seasons (date undetermined), and the best against
Florida State this season.
Maryland's 30-point lead, 73-43, with 12:14 remaining was its largest at any point this season.
PERRY NAMED ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Local freshman Ginji Perry, the 1997 All-Met Player of the Year by the Washington Post, was named on
Monday as the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week.
Perry is the second Terrapin freshman to win the award this season, joining one-time Elizabeth Seton high
school teammate Deedee Warley as rookie of the week recipients. Warley, who transferred from Seton and
graduated from St. John's, won the ACC honor on Dec. 14.
Perry earned this week's honor on the strength of a career-high 27 points in 29 minutes during Sunday
afternoon's 94-76 win over Florida State.
Perry came off the bench to shoot 8 of 11 from the floor, including a pair of 3-pointers, while adding three
assists and four steals. She had four points during eight minutes in a loss last Thursday to NC State.
MILESTONES ARE NICE
Four years after becoming just the fifth coach in women's college history to earn at least 400 victories at the
same school, Maryland coach Chris Weller picked up her 450th win on Sunday against Florida State.
By total victories, Weller is the 20th winningest coach in the country, and third in the ACC behind NC State's
Kay Yow (561) and Virginia's Debbie Ryan (492).
3-4 SINCE CHRISTMAS - NOTE THE 4
Maryland is 3-4 since the holiday break, but it's worth noting to whom those losses have been: No. 17 Duke,
No. 22 Virginia, No. 6 North Carolina, and defending national semifinalist NC State.
Since the return of Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, Maryland is 3-5. The additional loss was to No. 15
Rutgers.
RPI MEASURING STICK
If national RPI ratings can be an indicator of how far the Terrapins had fallen before Brown and Gibson's
return, they also may be used to measure the Terps, rise since their return. The Terps have risen 82 spots since the
return of Brown and Gibson 26 spots alone since the Virginia & North Carolina road trip.
Maryland fell to a 252 rating on Dec. 20, its lowest of the season.
After losing by 20 to No. 15 Rutgers, obviously aided by a strong opponent rating, Maryland rose modestly
to a 232 rating prior to its tournament.
Following a pair of wins in the Terrapin Classic, Maryland rose to a 207 rating.
The Terps, current rating of 170 is based largely on the 15th-rated schedule strength in the country. Here is a
look at Maryland's season progression (all ratings reflect games of dates reflected):
Dec. 13 244 Jan. 1 210 Jan. 11 181
Dec. 20 252 Jan. 4 200 Jan. 16 186
Dec. 27 232 Jan. 7 196 Jan. 18 170
Dec. 31 207 Jan. 8 197
CLOSEST YET VS. RANKED OPPONENT
Opening the ACC conference schedule with four ranked opponents in their first five games, the Terrapins
welcomed even a small, moral victory at Virginia on Jan. 8. There was something to be said for Maryland's
continued progress.
Before the six-point, 69-63, loss in Charlottesville, only one game all season had been decided by fewer than 10
points, and each of the four previous meetings against nationally-ranked opponents had resulted in losses of at
least 20-point margins.
EVIDENCE
Further evidence of Maryland's improvement is in its recent scoring trend since the return of Kelley Gibson
(Easton, Md.) and Tiffany Brown (Clinton, Md.) on Dec. 22. In eight games prior to their return, Maryland was 0-
8 and never had scored more than 57 points.
In eight games since, the Terps are 3-5 with six games over 60 points and three ranked opponents among
those five. The Terps have exceeded the 70-point barrier three times since the return of Brown and Gibson.
Maryland Scoring
First 8 games (overall) 386 (8) 48.3
Last 8 games
Overall 536 (8) 67.0
vs. ACC 416 (7) 59.4
vs. Top 25 243 (4) 60.1
STARTING TANDEM
Combined, the Brown (39) and Gibson (48) tandem have started 87 games over the last two-plus seasons.
Gibson has started 64 games during a five-year career that has been marked by three knee injuries.
ALL-AROUND BROWN
In eight games so far this season, Tiffany Brown averages 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.6 steals.
At Virginia, she contributed a career-high 11 rebounds with eight points and six assists.
In two Terrapin Classic games, she averaged 11.0 points, 9.5 assists and 3.5 steals. She even contributed 2.5
rebounds, shot 6 of 10 from the floor, and 9 of 15 from the free throw line.
She recorded the first double-double of her career with 15 points and 10 assists vs. Coppin State.
NATIONALLY-RANKED BROWN
In eight games since her return, Brown averages 6.6 assists which would lead the ACC, and rank 15th
nationally (according to stats released Jan. 11) given she had played enough games to qualify.
1. Dalma Ivanyi, Florida Int,l Sr 17 173 10.2
2. Nikki Kremer, Xavier Sr 14 131 9.4
3. Erica Gomez, UCLA Jr 16 132 8.3
4. Lisa Witherspoon, Va. Tech Sr 15 121 8.1
5. Letitia Hall, Southern Jr 12 96 8.0
6. Amy Vachon, Maine Jr 12 95 7.9
7. Brandi McCain, Florida Fr 12 138 7.7
8. Jennifer O,Brien, Davidson Jr 14 100 7.1
9. Nicole Kubik, Nebraska Jr 16 112 7.0
10. Jenny Knight, Louisville Jr 17 117 6.9
11. Helen Darling, Penn St. Jr 14 96 6.9
12. Maureen DiJulia, Hartford Sr 11 74 6.7
Judy Clack, Northwestern St. Jr 11 74 6.7
14. Amy Sheiron, Sam Houston St. Sr 12 80 6.7
Tiffany Brown, Maryland Jr 8 53 6.63
15. Itoro Umoh, Clemson Sr 17 112 6.59
16. Juli Grant, Cleveland St. Jr 13 85 6.5
17. Angela Zampella, St. Joseph's Jr 14 90 6.4
18. Milena Flores, Stanford Jr 14 89 6.4
CHECKING THE CHARTS
As Brown and Gibson return to the lineup this season, here's a look at where they rank among Maryland
career leaders.
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOALS FGs
1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 91
2. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 75
3. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 43
4. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39
5. Limor Mizrachi, 1991-92 32
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS Atts.
1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 302
2. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 199
3. Kelley Gibson, 1994-present 185
4. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 130
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PCT. Pct.
1. Limor Mizrachi, 1991-92 32-77 .416
2. Terri Bradley, 1989-90 21-53 .396
3. Kim Bretz, 1995-97 26-66 .394
6. Aluma Goren, 1990-91 28-82 .341
7. Estelle Christy, 1989-92 21-63 .333
8. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 91-302 .302
9. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39-130 .300
12. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98 18-65 .277
13. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 43-185 .232
CAREER ASSISTS Assists
1. Debbie Lytle, 1980-83 583
2. Tara Heiss, 1975-78 504
3. Deanna Tate, 1986, 88-89 500
10. Karon Ferguson, 1992-95 294
11. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 268
12. Dafne Lee, 1989-92 251
13. Katrina Colleton, 1990-93 243
14. Bonnie Rimkus, 1991-94 234
15. Myra Waters, 1979-82 220
Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 192
CAREER STEALS Steals
1. Debbie Lytle, 1980-83 315
2. Sonia Chase, 1995-98 309
12. Jessie Hicks, 1990-93 139
13. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 135
14. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 125
CAREER BLOCKED SHOTS Blocks
1. Kris Kirchner, 1977-80 186
2. Vicky Bullett, 1985-89 170
12. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98 46
13. Lydia McAiley, 1979-82 43
14. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 37
15. Belinda Pearman, 1981-84 36
TELLING STATS AND SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT
Missing easily their most athletic returning starters, and the top returning scorers and assist makers from a
year ago in Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, Terrapin deficiencies have been obvious most of this season.
Shooting Woes
Early evidence of their absence was poor shooting (55-152, .362, through three games) and ballhandling by a
team comprised mostly of freshmen and almost exclusively by newcomers.
However Maryland has rallied to shoot 40 percent or better in six of its last 11 games.
Turnovers
For much of Maryland's season, the Terps have averaged nearly 30 turnovers and more than two turnovers per
assist. Recently, however, ballhandling trends have improved.
Shooting Assists-Turnovers
First 3 games 55-152, .362 31-82 (1.0-2.6)
Next 5 games 109-263, 414 80-131 (1.0-1.6)
Last 8 games 210-468, .449 148-182 (1.0-1.2)
Season 374-883, .424 259-395 (1.0-1.5)
WARLEY'S CONTINUED EMERGENCE
Marche Strickland has started every game and averaged 9.9 points, and Ginji Perry exploded for 27 in last
Sunday's win over Florida State but the most impressive and consistent of Maryland's stable of freshman has
been 6-2 forward/center Deedee Warley.
A local product of St. John's High School, and a one-time teammate of Perry and Tiffany Brown at Elizabeth
Seton High, Warley has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games and provided the Terps with a
bonafide inside scoring threat.
Warley has been effective from the low post and driving toward the bucket, but most impressive has been
her soft touch jumper from 10-to-15 feet. Warley shoots 48 percent from the floor with a majority of her scoring
actually away from the basket.
Warley has averaged 16.1 points in the last 10 games, and 17.6 in the last seven.
She recorded her top four scoring efforts all within a four-game span 23 vs. Coppin State, 19 vs.
Richmond, 19 vs. Duke and 22 at Virginia.
In the Terrapin Classic, she scored 42 points with 17 rebounds in two games while earning acclaim as the
tourney's most valuable player. Her 23 points and nine rebounds vs. Coppin State both were career-bests.
Warley was chosen the ACC Rookie of the Week following the Penn State and Wake Forest games with
then-career bests of 18 and 12 points, respectively.
Warley's candidacy for a second conference rookie of the week award was blown when Georgia Tech
freshman Neisha Butler scored 40 points against Florida State during the same week that Warley was named
MVP of the Terrapin Classic.
FROM THE STRIPE
Through its first eight games, Maryland attempted 98 free throws just over 12 per game, and made only 55
percent of those.
In the Terps' last eight games, Maryland has made 99 free throws while shooting nearly 64 percent.
FT FTA Pct.
First 8 games 53 98 .541
Last 8 games 99 155 .639
Season 152 253 .601
In her first game of the year, Kelley Gibson shot a Maryland high nine free throw attempts vs. Rutgers.
A game later, Tiffany Brown was 7 of 13 against Coppin State, continuing an increase in free throw
opportunities for the new Terrapins.
Marche Strickland continued the trend, shooting 8 of 10 against Richmond. Deedee Warley matched the
same figure at Virginia. Ginji Perry made 9 of 12 attempts vs. Florida State.
Strickland has been Maryland's top free throw shooter overall, netting 42 of 51 for 82.4 percent second in
the ACC.
IN THE PAINT
Between improved play from Branka Bogunovic and enhanced play from newcomers Cara Ferris, Rosita
Melbourne (Washington, D.C.) and Deedee Warley, Maryland's inside game has been one of the team's strengths
much of the season.
The Terps have outrebounded every unranked, non-conference opponent. The Virginia game marked the
first time this year that Maryland had outrebounded an ACC opponent or a ranked opponent.
Bogunovic, Ferris, Melbourne and Warley have combined to shoot 50.9 percent (220 of 432) for the season.
Bogunovic (17), Ferris (13) and Melbourne (12) all registered double-digit rebounds for the Terps at
Howard. Together, the trio shot 17 for 33 (52.5%) from the floor.
Bogunovic has led the Terps in scoring four times and rebounding six times. She also has posted five
double-doubles this season.
THREE WOES
Teams have defended the Terps with zone defenses to challenge Maryland sharpshooters. In the last three
games, however, 3-point shooting has not been sharp.
Prior to Sunday's win over Florida State in which the Terps made four of nine trey attempts, the Terps had
made just three of 32 3-point attempts in the last three games (1-11 at Virginia, 1-10 at North Carolina, 1-11 vs. NC
State.)
LINEUP SHUFFLE
Since the return of Brown and Gibson, Maryland has started four different starting lineups its sixth, seventh,
eighth and ninth different lineups this season. The Warley-Gibson-Bogunovic-Brown-Strickland quintet was
utilized in four straight games until Cara Ferris replaced Bogunovic last week vs. NC State.
Freshman Marche Strickland (Kingston, Mass.) is the only player to start every game.
FERRIS & THE FRESHMEN
Boasting six freshmen on the roster and missing returning starters Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, the
Terps obviously counted heavily on those half-dozen freshmen during the early season. Maryland newcomers,
including JC transfer Cara Ferris, accounted for 74 percent of total minutes played during its first eight games.
Some opening eight games numbers:
Player Mins Pts Rebounds
Marche Strickland 301 80 23
Deedee Warley 210 69 36
Ginji Perry 164 27 18
Rosita Melbourne 193 57 47
Ije Agba 53 15 11
Marija Ilic 14 0 3
Freshmen Totals 935 248 138
Percent of Team Total 58% 64% 43%
Cara Ferris (JC Transfer) 245 25 46
Newcomer Totals 1180 273 184
Percent of Team Total 74% 71% 58%
MARYLAND TOTALS 1600 386 318
HOW INEXPERIENCED?
Before the return of Brown and Gibson against Rutgers, Maryland was playing with just one of its top eight
scorers from last season. Branka Bogunovic was the ONLY player that averaged 2.0 points or better or played
even 10 minutes per game last season.
Counting Antonieta Gabriel as a virtual newcomer after a 1.4 point average in 8.1 minutes last season,
newcomers averaged 87.5% of Maryland's minutes, 73.3% of scoring and 82.1% of rebounds during Maryland's
first eight games.
BEST CLASS SINCE '85-86?
Not since the freshman campaign of current pros Deanna Tate and Olympian Vicky Bullett has Maryland
welcomed a freshman class with as much promise. The Terps boasted seven freshmen out of 15 players in 1985-86,
compared to six of 12 on this season's roster.
The 98-99 freshman class has been regarded as one of the top 20 classes in the country, and includes the 40th-
rated prospect in Rosita Melbourne.
The 85-86 team finished 17-13 overall and just 6-8 in the ACC, but rebounded to win the sixth of Chris Weller's
eight ACC tournament titles. Maryland fell to Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
FRESHMEN DEPENDENCY
Different from the OE85-86 team is this season's total dependence on those freshmen. Freshmen on the afore
mentioned 1985-86 club totaled 46 starts through a 30-game season. So far after 16 games this year, Maryland
freshmen have registered 37 starting assignments at least two freshmen have started in every game.
Four Terp freshmen (Melbourne, Perry, Strickland, Warley) average at least 15 minutes per game.
Strickland has started in every game, while Warley has started in six straight and 12 of 16.
NOT JUST FRESHMEN, (VERY) LOCAL TOO Maryland's bumper crop of freshmen includes a quartet
of local stars that come widely regarded by local and national publications. Ije Agba, Rosita Melbourne, Ginji
Perry and Deedee Warley all prepped at D.C.-area high schools and received All-Met honors by the Washington
Post.
Melbourne arrives as potentially the best post athlete during Weller's tenure and was a highly regarded recruit
nationally.
Perry was the All-Met Player of the Year in 1996-97. All played their high school ball within 20 minutes of the
Maryland campus.
A QUICK GLANCE AHEAD
From its current roster, only Kelley Gibson is scheduled to depart for the 1999-2000 season. Returning for next
season, by class, will be four seniors (Bogunovic, Brown, Ferris, Gabriel), a junior (Moore) and six sophomores.
Already signed for next season is 5-7 point guard Vicki Brick, the Baltimore area's player of the year last
season from McDonogh High.
TERPS BY THE NUMBERS
1
Terp seniors that have played this season.
3
Only three classes of players under Chris Weller have failed to participate in at least one Sweet Sixteen appearance.
4 of 6
Four of Maryland's first five ACC opponents had been ranked in the Top 25.
6
Six freshmen on the Maryland roster are the most since seven in 1985-86.
6.6 and 15th
Eight-game assist average for Tiffany Brown which would rank her 15th in the country. Her previous career average was 2.7.
7
Consecutive double-digit scoring games for Deedee Warley.
8
The Terps have captured an unprecedented eight ACC championships.
9
Teams on the 1998-99 Terrapin schedule that qualified for last year's NCAA Tournament.
9
Terrapin starting lineups in 1998-99.
10
Season-high assists by Kelley Gibson against Florida State.
16
Freshman Marche Strickland is the only Terrapin to start every game this season.
16.1 & 17.6
Scoring average by Terp freshman Deedee Warley in her last 10 games (161), and her last seven games (123), respectively.
58
Minimum Terp point total in 7 of 8 games since the return of Brown & Gibson.
82
Spots of improvement in national RPI ratings since Dec. 22 game vs. Rutgers. Maryland was No. 252 at its lowest point of the
season, and now is No. 170.
QUOTING COACH WELLER
From Tuesday's ACC Coaches Teleconference: "Obviously, we,ve had what might our best game this year against Florida State. We played the most
intensive defense game that we've played all year long, and led to us being able to score a lot more points. That's been something we,ve been trying to get
established that our defense allows us to score points. We'we'veve been playing fairly good defense, but haven,t been getting any points out of it. But that
improved, and we hope we can continue to build on that and ride some momentum. We feel like we've had momentum after Christmas ever since we got
Kelley [Gibson] and Tiffany [Brown] back. I think we,re gaining momentum. We,re 3-4 since that point, but the four losses are all to top 25 teams, so
that's not a real shock to us. I think we're getting better and better, and a little more comfortable playing together. Cara Ferris has moved into the starting
lineup and given us a little more mobility."
Branka [Bogunovic] has continued playing well off the bench. People are starting to look to our freshmen a lot,
and giving them a lot of attention. But what I'm really proud of, is our returning players being able to give up playing time and really show a sense of
team., We've had to juggle our lineup so many different times that it would be quite natural for someone to be a little disappointed with fewer minutes. If
our team can continue to allow for that need to be flexible right now while we find units that work well together, I think we,re on the right track. Playing
so long without Kelley and Tiff made it tough for our freshmen. But what I have been pleased with has been how they have responded, even as people, and
competitors. They're working hard and it's paying off now.
We've tried to treat it as two different seasons with and without Tiff and Kelley. I consider
myself a teacher most of all, so it's always fun to watch players grow, and teams grow. it's been very satisfying in that regard. No one likes to have that
kind of a won-loss record, but it's been very satisfying working with this group. I've tried to be more patient, and tried to err in that direction. we've
tried to set some performance goals, and avoid the outcome goals. We've been very basic, and watched a lot of film. I believe in this team. I think we're
going to be very good. It"s obvious that we have some very talented freshmen, and now it's become obvious that we have some unselfish returning players
that have been very graciously flexible in learning their roles."
On the Florida State game: "I liked how focused we were. I thought the team came out and showed that they had a lot of pride in themselves. That's
what we've been trying to do all year long, and we're going to continue to try to do that. When we walk off the court, we want everyone to think we were
the team that played the hardest. We felt that they were good inside. Wyckoff can play inside and out. Our goal was to make it a game where they couldn,t
get in the lane, and we did get in the lane. We wanted to score more points in the paint than they did. And we did, we outscored them by 10 points inside.
Right now, we,d like to use this as a stepping-stone. I'm all about getting experience and this was a great experience for us."
On Deedee Warley: 'she plays an excellent offensive game. That's her game, but she also has to keep working on those rebounds. I expect good things
out of her. When we recruited her, we felt that we had a person who could start as a freshman in the ACC, and be effective. What she's done hasn,t
surprised me."
On Ginji Perry vs. FSU: "I thought Ginji played very well. She's been practicing better, too, and earning some playing time. Ginji was out of the game
for a year [attending prep school]. I know that Ginji is a very, very fine offensive player. She's working on her defense, and she's been away from her game
for a year. It really showed up in the preseason, and she's had a tremendous challenge trying to adjust to the work ethic and the intensity level of the
ACC."
