Terps' coach Chris Weller
picked up her 450th win Jan.
24 against Florida State.
| |
Women's Hoops Battles No. 9 Duke Feb. 1
Terps begin four-game, eight-day stretch.
January 31, 1999
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - There is no time off for the Maryland women's basketball team as Chris Weller and
her troops recover from a near-upset loss vs. No. 15 Clemson to embark on an eight-day stretch that includes four
games, three different arenas and two more top 25 opponents - both a part of the ACC's regional television
package.
The Terps begin the stretch at No. 9 Duke on Monday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. The game is carried live on the HTS,
FOX SportsSouth and Sunshine television networks.
Maryland returns from Duke in the early hours of Tuesday morning, only to host a non-conference bout with
Morgan State (Feb. 3) on Wednesday night. Following a day off, the Terps hit the road on Friday again for a
Saturday evening matchup with Wake Forest (Feb. 6). Another late-night bus trip is followed by a second
consecutive week on regional TV as Maryland plays host to No. 19 Virginia (Feb. 8) - roughly 40 hours after its
return from Wake Forest.
RECORDS
Maryland is 3-15 overall and 1-8 in the ACC following its 55-45 loss to Clemson. 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.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Duke is No. 9 by AP and No. 13 by ESPN/USA Today. 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. Last 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 450-235 (.657) overall record. She is 162-117 (.581) 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 30-13 lifetime against Duke, and 7-8 vs. Gail Goestenkors.
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
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
Monday's game with Duke marks the beginning of a stretch with four games in eight days, and five in 11. The
Terps break from ACC play to host Morgan State on Wednesday, Feb. 3. They go 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.
1998-99 ACC Standings
ACC Overall
Teams W L Pct. W L Pct.
Duke 9 0 1.000 17 4 .810
Virginia 7 2 .778 14 5 .737
Clemson 7 3 .700 17 3 .850
No. Carolina 7 3 .700 20 4 .833
NC State 5 5 .500 11 8 .579
Georgia Tech 4 6 .400 11 9 .550
Wake Forest 2 7 .222 6 13 .316
Maryland 1 8 .111 3 15 .167
Florida St. 1 9 .100 6 13 .316
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.
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:
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.
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.
Game Facts and Coverage
#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)
#20 - Morgan State at Maryland
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 3
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)
Media Relations Contact
Kevin Messenger
Email: kmess@wam.umd.edu
FOUR GAMES IN EIGHT NIGHTS
Maryland gears for the most strenous portion of its schedule this week, playing four games in the next eight
days, and five in 11. Here is a look at the Terps' 12-day itinerary:
Sun., Jan. 30 - Afternoon Practice, Evening Bus to Duke
Mon., Feb. 1 - MARYLAND at DUKE, 7 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 2 - Return Early Morning from Duke, Evening Practice
Wed., Feb. 3 - MARYLAND hosts MORGAN STATE, 7:30 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 4 - Off
Fri., Feb. 5 - Afternoon Practice, Evening Bus to Wake Forest
Sat., Feb. 6 - MARYLAND at WAKE FOREST, 2 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 8 - Afternoon Practice
Mon., Feb. 8 - MARYLAND hosts VIRGINIA, 7 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 9 - Off
Wed., Feb. 10 - Afternoon Practice
Thu., Feb. 11 - MARYLAND hosts NORTH CAROLINA, 7:30 p.m.
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).
SINCE THE BREAK
Maryland is 3-6 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, defending national semifinalist NC State and No. 15 Clemson.
The Georgia Tech loss was Maryland's ONLY loss 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 3-7. 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 82 spots since the
return of Tiffany Brown (Clinton, Md.) and Kelley Gibson (Easton, Md.) - 20 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 11th-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. 29 170
Jan. 4 200
Jan. 7 196
Jan. 8 197
Jan. 11 181
EVIDENCE OF GROWING UP
Evidence of Maryland's improvement is in its scoring trend since the return of Kelley Gibson and Tiffany
Brown 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 ten games since, the Terps have mustered three wins and scored 60 points or better on six occasions. Four of
Maryland's opponents during that stretch have been nationally-ranked. 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 637 (10) 63.7
vs. ACC 517 (9) 57.4
vs. Top 25 288 (5) 57.6
DE-FENSE!
Chris Weller-coached teams have always been regarded for their high-intensity defense, and this year's Terps
are learning the same style.
Last Thursday's 10-point loss to Clemson was perhaps the Terps' finest defensive effort this season. The Tigers
shot just 31.9 percent from the floor, and scored only two field goals during the game's final 9:40.
One note to substantiate the Terps' increased defensive pressure may be the ball-hawking stat which reveals
that four different Maryland players rank among ACC steals leaders during conference play - Tiffany Brown,
Kelley Gibson, Cara Ferris (Pensacola, Fla.) and March Strickland (Kingston, Mass.).
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 Asst-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 10 games 253-590, .429 180-224 (1.0-1.2)
Season 417-1,005, .415 291-437 (1.0-1.5)
STARTING TANDEM
Combined, the Brown (41) and Gibson (50) tandem have started 91 games over the last two-plus seasons.
Gibson has started 66 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 14th 13.2
Blocks Warley 9th 0.8
Assists Brown 3rd 6.0
Assists Gibson 4th 5.1
Steals Brown 5th 2.1
Steals Gibson 8th 2.0
Steals Ferris T10th 1.8
Steals Strickland T10th 1.8
3-Pt. FG % Gibson 8th .317
3-Pt. FGs Gibson 7th 1.9
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 shares Terp scoring honors (12.1) with
Kelley Gibson. She also leads the team in blocks (0.8), and is second in rebounds (5.6) and field goal percentage
(.473). In nine 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 had scored in double figures in eight consecutive games before totaling just six vs. Clemson.
She provides the Terps with a bonafide inside scoring threat.
Warley has averaged 14.9 points (179) in the last 12 games, and 15.6 (141) in the last nine.
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 47 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 10 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 10 68 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 6.3
17. Itoro Umoh, Clemson * Sr 20 125 6.3
* 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 50
4. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39
5. Limor Mizrachi, 1991-92 32
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS Atts.
1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 308
2. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 199
3. Kelley Gibson, 1994-present 202
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 93-308 .304
9. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39-130 .300
12. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98 18-65 .277
13. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 50-202 .248
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 275
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 207
CAREER STEALS Steals
1. Debbie Lytle, 1980-83 315
2. Sonia Chase, 1995-98 309
12. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 139
Jessie Hicks, 1990-93 139
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 10 games, Maryland has made 105 free throws while shooting nearly 64 percent.
FT FTA Pct.
First 8 games 53 98 .541
Last 10 games 104 163 .638
Season 157 261 .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.
March 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-Brown-Strickland quartet has been utilized in
eight straight games, with Cara Ferris and Branka Bogunovic alternating as the fifth starter. Warley is the
designated center when Ferris is a starter.
Freshman March Strickland 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 Min Pts Reb
March 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
% of Team Total 58% 64% 43%
Cara Ferris (JC-tran) 245 25 46
Newcomer Totals 1180 273 184
% 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 18 games this year, Maryland freshmen have registered 41 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 eight straight and 14 of 18.
Strickland leads all ACC players with a 35.9-minute average.
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.
MARYLAND TERRAPINS PROBABLE LINEUP
PROBABLE STARTERS Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG Notes
F 33 Cara Ferris (17/10) 6-1 Jr. Pensacola, Fla. 3.2 4.1 1.1 Career-high 9 pts, 6 steals vs. FSU
C 55 Branka Bogunovic (18/14) 6-8 Jr. Zemun, Serbia 10.9 6.4 0.1 Six double-doubles this season
F 45 Kelley Gibson (10/9) 5-11 Sr. Easton, Md. 12.2 3.5 4.6 Double-figure scoring in last 5 games
F/C 34 Deedee Warley (18/14) 6-2 Fr. Fort Wash., Md. 12.1 5.6 1.3 Double figures in 8 of last 9 games
G 3 Tiffany Brown (10/10) 5-6 Jr. Clinton, Md. 6.9 3.4 6.8 40 minutes in 7 of 10 games
G 20 March Strickland (18/18) 5-9 Fr. Kingston, Mass. 9.3 3.2 3.3 Only Terp to start all 18 games
TOP RESERVES Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG Notes
G 25 Ginji Perry (17/1) 5-11 Fr. Hyattsville, Md. 4.6 2.5 1.7 27 pts, 3 assists, 4 steals vs. FSU
F 32 Antonieta Gabriel (15/6) 6-0 Jr. Va. Beach, Va. 2.1 5.2 2.4 Among UM leaders in rebounds, assists
F 42 Rosita Melbourne (17/7) 6-3 Fr. Washington, D.C. 4.2 3.7 0.5 Started 7 straight games in Nov./Dec.
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
Maryland appears on the ACC regional television package on three consecutive Mondays in February (1 at Duke, 8 vs. Virginia, 15 at
NC State).
3 and 4
Playing 7 of 9 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 before scoring just six last Thursday vs. Clemson.
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.
18
Freshman March Strickland is the only Terrapin to start every game this season.
14.9 & 15.6
Scoring average by Terp freshman Deedee Warley in her last 12 games (179), and her last nine games (141), respectively.
82
Spots of improvement in national RPI ratings since Dec. 22 game vs. Rutgers.
QUOTING COACH WELLER
On the Clemson game: "I wasn't entirely happy with the way that we played because we had some turnovers that we didn't need to
have. We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball. But it was the kind of scoring game that we wanted to have. We knew that if
we could keep it a low-scoring game, we'd have a shot at winning. The game was closer than 10 points.
On continued improvement: "We know how much a better team we are now then we were [when we played Clemson the last time].
We know that because of our circumstances, we have to play with a won-loss record that's ugly and very deceiving. But there's
nothing we can do about that. That's not going to define us. We're defining ourselves by our effort, and by the caliber of play that
we're performing. We're knocking on the door with some of the rest of the teams in the league."
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
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."
