Tiffany Brown and the Terps
take on Clemson this week.
| |
Terps Host No. 15 Clemson
Women's basketball begins second trip through the ACC.
January 26, 1999
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - No. 15-ranked Clemson comes to First National Bank of Maryland Court at Cole Field
House on Thursday evening, Feb. 28, as Maryland's women's basketball squad opens the second half of play in the
1998-99 Atlantic Coast Conference schedule. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.
The Terps, a 94-76 winner over Florida State in their last bout at Cole, hope the return home is kinder than their
most recent trip abroad, a 72-56 loss at Georgia Tech last Thursday. An upset winner over No. 7 North Carolina
just three days later, Georgia Tech outscored the Terrapins 31-10 in the final three minutes of what was an
otherwise nip-and-tuck struggle. The Terps trailed by four, 48-44, with 4:30 to play, and the Yellow Jackets never
led by more than 10 until Niesha Butler's 3-pointer with 2:20 remaining made it an 11-point game.
This week's Maryland-Clemson meeting presents a far different matchup from that which saw the Tigers coast
to an 89-48 win over the Terps in the ACC opener on Dec. 5. Since the return of Kelley Gibson (Easton, Md.) and
Tiffany Brown (Clinton, Md.) on Dec. 22, Maryland has raised its average nearly 20 points a game while boasting
nearly as many assists as turnovers in its last nine games. At Clemson, Maryland turned the ball over 32 times
while suffering its largest loss of the year.
Awaiting the Terps after the Clemson game is a four-game, eight-day stretch that includes travel between each
leg. The four-game string begins at No. 9 Duke next Monday, Feb. 1.
RECORDS
Maryland is 3-14 overall and 1-7 in the ACC following its 72-56 loss at Georgia Tech. Clemson enters the week
at 16-3 overall and 5-3 in the ACC following an 81-72 win over No. 14 Iowa State on Sunday. The Tigers downed
NC State last Thursday, 70-58. Duke is currently atop the ACC standings with an 9-0 league mark, and 17-4
overall. The Blue Devils downed No. 7 North Carolina last Friday night in Durham, 93-71. Duke plays on Monday
night at Florida State before hosting the Terps.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Clemson is currently ranked No. 15 by both major women's basketball polls. Duke is No. 9 by AP and No. 13
by ESPN/USA Today. Maryland is unranked. The Terps play 10 games this season against teams ranked in
national top 25 polls. Including Georgia Tech, the Terps play 12 games against teams at least receiving votes. This
week's rankings:
AP (Jan. 25) ESPN/USA Today (Jan. 25)
9. Duke 10. North Carolina
13. Rutgers 11. Rutgers
14. North Carolina 13. Duke
15. Clemson 15. Clemson
19. Virginia 17. Penn State
21. Penn State 18. Virginia
Others: Georgia Tech
COACHES
Maryland's Chris Weller (Maryland '66) 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 450-234 (.659) overall record. She is 162-116 (.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 24-17 lifetime against Clemson, and 12-12 vs. Jim Davis. Weller is 30-13 lifetime against Duke, and 7-8
vs. Gail Goestenkors.
Clemson's Jim Davis (Tennessee Wesleyan '70) is 249-113 in his 12th season with the Tigers. He is 268-121 in
his 13th year overall. He is 106-70 in ACC games. Davis has guided Clemson to three consecutive ACC
Tournament title appearances including a 1996 victory over Duke to mark the Tigers' first ACC crown. He was
named ACC coach of the year in 1990 and 1994.
Duke's Gail Goestenkors (Saginaw Valley State '85) is 136-65 overall, and at Duke, in her seventh year at the
school. She is 63-42 in ACC games. She has turned the Blue Devils into a consistent national contender, and last
year earned her second ACC coach of the year award in three seasons after guiding the Devils to their first regular
season conference title.
SERIES HISTORY
Against Clemson, Maryland boasts a 24-18 series advantage despite losing four straight. The Tigers ousted the
Terps from last season's ACC Tournament, 63-44, in the tourney semifinals, and beat Maryland in this year's ACC
opener on Dec. 5. Maryland last defeated Clemson two seasons ago with wins at home and on the road. Maryland
has won six of the last seven meetings with the Tigers at Cole Field House.
Maryland owns a 30-13 series advantage over Duke, dating to 1977-78, the first year of women's basketball in
the ACC. The Terps won the first 11 games of the series, but have surrendered eight of the last 12. Maryland's last
win in Durham was an 82-51 decision on 16, 1993.
NEXT GAMES
Maryland begins a stretch with four games in eight days, and five in 11, when it travels to Duke on Monday,
Feb. 1. The Terps break from ACC play to host Morgan State on Wednesday, Feb. 3, go back on the road to face
Wake Forest three days later on Saturday, Feb. 6, and return just two nights later to host Virginia on Monday, Feb.
8.
Maryland appears on ACC regional television games on three consecutive Mondays beginning Feb. 1 at Duke.
Maryland hosts Virginia on Feb. 8 and travels to NC State on Feb. 15. All regional TV games are broadcast on
HTS, FOX SportsSouth and Sunshine Network. All TV games tip at 7 p.m.
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. 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.
1998-99 ACC Standings
ACC Overall
Teams W L Pct. W L Pct.
Duke 9 0 1.000 17 4 .810
Virginia 6 1 .857 13 6 .684
No. Carolina 5 3 .625 18 4 .818
Clemson 5 3 .625 16 3 .842
Georgia Tech 4 5 .444 11 8 .579
NC State 4 5 .444 10 8 .556
Wake Forest 2 6 .250 6 12 .333
Maryland 1 7 .125 3 14 .176
Florida St. 1 7 .125 6 11 .353
THURSDAY, JAN. 28
NC State at Georgia Tech, 6:30 p.m.
Florida State at North Carolina, 7 p.m.
Virginia at Wake Forest, 7 p.m.
Clemson at Maryland, 7 p.m.
SUNDAY, JAN. 31
Georgia Tech at Florida State, RSN-12:30 p.m.
Wake Forest at North Carolina, 1 p.m.
Clemson at Virginia, 2 p.m.
George Washington at NC State, 2 p.m.
MONDAY, FEB. 1
Maryland at Duke, RSN-7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3
North Carolina at Clemson, 7 p.m.
Wake Forest at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m.
Morgan State at Maryland, 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, FEB. 4
Florida State at NC State, 7 p.m.
Duke at Virginia, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEB. 6
Maryland at Wake Forest (Reynolds), 2 p.m.
SUNDAY, FEB. 7
NC State at North Carolina, RSN-12:30 p.m.
Clemson at Florida State, 2 p.m.
Duke at Georgia Tech, 2 p.m.
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.
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.
Game Facts and Coverage
#18 - Clemson at Maryland
Date: Thursday, Jan. 28
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: First National Bank of Maryland Court at Cole Field House (14,500)
Radio: WMUC Radio, 650-AM and 88.1-FM, and on the Internet at www.wmuc.umd.edu.(Brett Molina, Adam Gantman, Paul Monusky)
#19 - Maryland at Duke
Date: Monday, Feb. 1
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Cameron Indoor Stadium (9,314)
Radio: None.
TV: Live on HTS, FOX SportsSouth and Sunshine Network (Dave Johnson, play-by-play and Debbie Antonelli, color)
umterps.com: Maryland sports news on the World Wide Web, updated daily.
"DIDN'T HANDLE WINNING WELL"
Fresh off an 18-point ACC victory over Florida State, Maryland had its sights set on a road win at Georgia Tech
and moving into a sixth-place tie in the ACC standings. The result, however, was not as hoped as 23 turnovers and
38 percent shooting contributed to a loss at Georgia Tech.
Playing poorly, though playing within a four-to-10-point reach of the Yellow Jackets during the entire second
half, the Terps had numerous opportunities to pull even. A four-point game with under 4:00 remaining ballooned
to a 16-point decision in the game's final minutes.
Said Terrapin head coach Chris Weller, "We didn't handle winning very well. We thought we had the game
plan and the personnel to win this game. We didn't get it done. We started feeling good about ourselves, and
thought we could just show up. We still have to learn that the only way to winning is through hard work."
FIVE IN DOUBLE FIGURES PACE ACC VICTORY
Five Terrapin players scored in double figures last week against Florida State 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 (Hyattsville, Md.) led the assault with 17 first half points en route to a career-best 27-
point performance and ACC Rookie of the Week honors. Branka Bogunovic (Zemun, Serbia) and Deedee Warley
each added 14 points, Marche Strickland added 13 and Kelley Gibson 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 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 last week
as the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week for her play during Maryland's last homestand against NC
State and Florida State.
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).
3-5 SINCE CHRISTMAS - NOTE THE 5
Maryland is 3-5 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. The Georgia Tech loss was
Maryland's first in that stretch to a team not at least receiving votes in major polls - but three days later, the
Yellow Jackets upset North Carolina and received votes in the AP poll for the first time this season, this week.
Since the return of Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, Maryland is 3-6. The additional loss was to then-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 74 spots since the
return of Brown and Gibson - 18 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 178 is based largely on the 18th-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. 16 186
Dec. 20 252 Jan. 18 170
Dec. 27 232 Jan. 22 180
Dec. 31 207 Jan. 25 178
Jan. 1 210
Jan. 4 200
Jan. 7 196
Jan. 8 197
Jan. 11 181
EVIDENCE OF ASSISTANCE AND GROWING UP
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. Not only have Gibson and Brown sparked an improvement in
play, but Maryland's six freshmen are fast becoming sophomores.
In eight games prior to Brown & Gibson's return, Maryland was 0-8 and never had scored more than 57 points.
In nine games since, the Terps are 3-6 with six games over 60 points - and three ranked opponents among those
six. 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 592 (9) 65.7
vs. ACC 472 (8) 59.0
vs. Top 25 243 (4) 60.1
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 9 games 234-532, .440 168-205 (1.0-1.2)
Season 398-947, .420 279-418 (1.0-1.5)
STARTING TANDEM
Combined, the Brown (40) and Gibson (49) tandem have started 89 games over the last two-plus seasons.
Gibson has started 65 games during a five-year career that has been marked by three knee injuries.
IN ACC RANKINGS
Considering ACC games only, here is a look at where Terp players rank within the league:
Category Player Rank Avg.
Scoring Warley 12th 14.1
Field Goal Pct. Warley 7th .476
Blocks Warley 7th 0.9
Assists Brown 3rd 5.8
Assists Gibson 4th 5.5
Steals Gibson 5th 2.2
Steals Ferris 9th 2.0
Steals Strickland 10th 1.9
3-Pt. FG Pct. Gibson 8th .281
3-Pt. Field Goals Gibson 8th 1.5
WARLEY'S CONTINUED EMERGENCE
The most impressive and consistent of Maryland's stable of freshman has been 6-2 forward/center Deedee
Warley.
A leading candidate for ACC Rookie of the Year honors, Warley leads the Terps in scoring (12.5) and blocks
(0.8), and is second in rebounds (5.5) and field goal percentage (.489). In eight games during her first trip through
the ACC, she is ranked among conference leaders in scoring, field goal pct. and blocks.
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 eight consecutive games and provided the Terps with a
bonafide inside scoring threat.
Warley has averaged 15.7 points (173) in the last 11 games, and 16.9 (135) in the last eight.
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 49 percent from the floor with a majority of her scoring
actually away from the basket.
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.
NATIONALLY-RANKED BROWN
In nine games since her return, Brown averages 6.8 assists which would lead the ACC, and rank 10th
nationally (according to stats released Jan. 18) - given she had played enough games to qualify (75 percent of
total team games is required).
1. Dalma Ivanyi, Florida Int'l Sr 17 173 10.2
2. Nikki Kremer, Xavier Sr 16 153 9.6
3. Erica Gomez, UCLA Jr 18 148 8.2
4. Lisa Witherspoon, Va. Tech Sr 16 128 8.0
5. Amy Vachon, Maine Jr 13 103 7.9
6. Brandi McCain, Florida Fr 20 152 7.6
7. Letitia Hall, Southern Jr 15 109 7.3
8. Helen Darling, Penn St. Jr 16 111 6.9
9. Jennifer O'Brien, Davidson Jr 16 110 6.9
10. Tiffany Brown, Maryland * Jr 9 61 6.8
11. Nicole Kubik, Nebraska Jr 18 121 6.7
12. Maureen DiJulia, Hartford Sr 13 86 6.6
13. Jenny Knight, Louisville Jr 19 125 6.6
14. Tasha Pointer, Rutgers So 16 104 6.5
15. Amy Sheiron, Sam Houston St. Sr 14 91 6.5
16. Milena Flores, Stanford Jr 16 102 6.38
17. Itoro Umoh, Clemson * Sr 19 121 6.37
* indicates ACC players with current statistics
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 93
2. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 75
3. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 46
4. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39
5. Limor Mizrachi, 1991-92 32
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS Atts.
1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 306
2. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 199
3. Kelley Gibson, 1994-present 193
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 93-306 .304
9. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39-130 .300
12. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98 18-65 .277
13. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 46-193 .238
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 272
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 200
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 138
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 38
15. Belinda Pearman, 1981-84 36
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 nine games, Maryland has made 101 free throws while shooting nearly 64 percent.
FT FTA Pct.
First 8 games 53 98 .541
Last 9 games 101 158 .639
Season 154 256 .602
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 38 of 47 for 80.9 percent - fourth in
the ACC.
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 in the last three games.
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 Minutes Points 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 84
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 '85-86 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 17 games this year, Maryland
freshmen have registered 39 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 seven straight and 13 of 17.
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.
MARYLAND TERRAPINS PROBABLE LINEUP
PROBABLE STARTERS Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG
F 33 Cara Ferris (16/10) 6-1 Jr. Pensacola, Fla. 3.4 4.3 1.2
F 45 Kelley Gibson (9/8) 5-11 Sr. Easton, Md. 11.8 3.4 4.8
C 34 Deedee Warley (17/13) 6-2 Fr. Fort Washington, Md. 12.5 5.5 1.4
G 3 Tiffany Brown (9/9) 5-6 Jr. Clinton, Md. 7.4 2.9 6.8
G 20 Marche Strickland (17/17) 5-9 Fr. Kingston, Mass. 9.7 2.9 3.4
TOP RESERVES Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG
G 25 Ginji Perry (16/1) 5-11 Fr. Hyattsville, Md. 4.9 2.6 1.8
F 32 Antonieta Gabriel (15/6) 6-0 Jr. Virginia Beach, Va. 2.1 5.2 2.4
F 42 Rosita Melbourne (17/7) 6-3 Fr. Washington, D.C. 4.2 3.7 0.5
C 55 Branka Bogunovic (17/13) 6-8 Jr. Zemun, Serbia 10.4 6.1 0.1
1998-99 UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROSTER
NO. NAME HT. POS. CL.-EXP. HOMETOWN/HS (PREVIOUS SCHOOL)
30 IJEOMA AGBA 6-0 F FR.-HS ROCKVILLE, MD./WHEATON
55 BRANKA BOGUNOVIC 6-8 C JR.-2V ZEMUN, SERBIA/ZEMUN
3 TIFFANY BROWN 5-6 G JR.-2V CLINTON, MD./ELIZABETH SETON
33 CARA FERRIS 6-1 F JR.-JC PENSACOLA, FLA./WASHINGTON (PENSACOLA JC)
32 ANTONIETA GABRIEL 6-0 F JR.-1V VIRGINIA BEACH, VA./SALEM (U. OF D.C.)
45 KELLEY GIBSON 5-11 G-F SR.-3V EASTON, MD./EASTON
24 MARIJA ILIC 5-11 G FR.-HS NEW BELGRADE, YUGOSLAVIA/OCEAN CITY, N.J.
42 ROSITA MELBOURNE 6-3 F-C FR.-HS WASHINGTON, D.C./H.D. WOODSON
12 LEAH MOORE 5-8 G SO.-HS RYE, N.Y./RYE
25 GINJI PERRY 5-11 G FR.-HS HYATTSVILLE, MD./ELIZABETH SETON
20 MARCHe STRICKLAND 5-9 G FR.-HS KINGSTON, MASS./SILVER LAKE
34 DEEDEE WARLEY 6-2 F FR.-HS FORT WASHINGTON, MD./ST. JOHN'S
HEAD COACH: CHRIS WELLER (MARYLAND '66/24TH SEASON)
ASSISTANT COACH: CHRISTY WINTERS (MARYLAND '90/2ND SEASON)
ASSISTANT COACH: JEANETTE ARMENTANO (QUEENS COLLEGE '81/1ST SEASON)
ASSISTANT COACH: KARL SMESKO (KENT '93/1ST SEASON)
DIRECTOR OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OPERATIONS: JIMMY HOWARD (GREENSBORO COLLEGE '86/1ST SEASON)
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.
3 and 4
Playing six of eight ACC games for the Terps, Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson rank third and fourth in the ACC in assists for
conference games only.
6
Six freshmen on the Maryland roster are the most since seven in 1985-86.
6.8 and 10th
Nine-game assist average for Tiffany Brown which would rank her 10th in the country. Her previous career average was 2.7.
8
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.
17
Freshman Marche Strickland is the only Terrapin to start every game this season.
15.7 & 16.9
Scoring average by Terp freshman Deedee Warley in her last 11 games (173), and her last eight games (135), respectively.
56
Minimum Terp point total in 8 of 9 games since the return of Brown & Gibson.
74
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. 178.
QUOTING COACH WELLER
On the Georgia Tech game: "We didn't handle winning very well. We thought we had the game plan and the personnel to win this
game. We didn't get it done. We started feeling good about ourselves, and thought we could just show up. We still have to learn that
the only way to winning is through hard work."
After the Florida State game: "Obviously, we had what might be 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've 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."
On playing together: "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."
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."
