University of Maryland Athletics

Women's Basketball Earns No. 7 Seed for the ACC Tournament

Terps to battle Wake Forest in the first round.

February 24, 1999

FRIDAY, FEB. 26
ACC Tournament at Charlotte, N.C. (Independence Arena)
1: #7 Maryland vs. #8 Wake Forest, 6 p.m.
2: #1 Duke vs. #9 Florida State, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 27
ACC Tournament at Charlotte, N.C. (Independence Arena)
3: #4 Clemson vs. #5 NC State, RSN-1 p.m.
4: #2 Virginia vs. #7/8 Winner, 3:30 p.m.
5: #3 North Carolina vs. #6 Georgia Tech, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, FEB. 28
ACC Tournament at Charlotte, N.C. (Independence Arena)
6: Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner, RSN-1 p.m.
7: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner, RSN-3:30 p.m.

MONDAY, MARCH 1
ACC Tournament at Charlotte, N.C. (Independence Arena)
8: ACC Championship, FOX SPORTS NET-8 p.m.

RSN denotes HTS, FOX SS, SUNSHINE NETWORKS
ACC Final is live on FOX SPORTS NET

1998-99 ACC Standings

                 ACC            Overall
Teams        W   L    Pct.    W  L    Pct.
Duke         15   1  .938    23   5  .821
Virginia     12   4  .750    19   7  .731
No. Carolina 11   5  .688    24   6  .800
Clemson      11   5  .688    21   5  .808
NC State      9   7  .533    16  10  .600
Georgia Tech  6  10  .375    13  13  .500
Maryland      3  13  .188     6  20  .231
Wake Forest   3  13  .188     7  19  .269
Florida St.   2  14  .125     7  19  .269

#27 - Wake Forest vs. Maryland

Date: Friday, Feb. 26
Time: 6 p.m.
Site: Independence Arena (10,000)
Radio: WMUC Radio, 650-AM and 88.1-FM, and on the Internet at www.wmuc.umd.edu.(Brett Molina, Adam Gantman, Paul Monusky)

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Whether it was due to Senior Day, over 1,000 girls scouts in attendance and the largest Cole Field House crowd of the year, the presence of baseball legend Cal Ripken or any other of a dozen possible explanations, the Maryland Terrapins packed together their most impressive performance of the season to defeat Georgia Tech and sprint toward this week's 22nd Annual Atlantic Coast Conference women's basketball tournament to be played at Independence Arena in Charlotte, N.C.

Kelley Gibson (Easton, Md.), a fifth-year senior, scored nine points with eight assists in the 92-79 win, but it was the inside play of Branka Bogunovic and Deedee Warley that kept the Yellow Jackets reeling. The Bogunovic- Warley duo combined for 44 points, 22 rebounds and 70 percent shooting. Together, they combined for 33 of Maryland's 51 points in the second half as the Terps climbed into a seventh-place tie with Wake Forest and ended a four-game losing skid.

In a preliminary battle with the Deacons, Maryland won an ACC coin toss on Sunday night to place the Terrapins on the home bench wearing their white uniforms. Oddly though, it was against Wake Forest this season in which the visiting team won both meetings. Wake downed the Terps 65-47 in a Dec. 13 game which preceeded the return of starters Gibson and Tiffany Brown (Clinton, Md.) to the Maryland lineup. The Terps earned a hard- fought 68-66 victory at Winston-Salem on Feb. 6 in what was the most closely contested game of the Maryland season. In fact, the Maryland-Wake Forest series has been hotly contested for the last two seasons: excluding the December game in which Brown and Gibson were absent, each of the last three meetings between Maryland and Wake Forest have been decided by just one basket or in overtime.

The Terrapins and Demon Deacons play the opening game of the tournament next Friday evening at 6 p.m., followed by top-seeded Duke against ninth-seeded Florida State. The Maryland-Wake Forest winner meets second-seeded Virginia on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

MARYLAND COACH CHRIS WELLER
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 453-241 (.653) overall record. She is 164-123 (.571) 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.

Here is a look at Terrapin head coach Chris Weller against the rest of this week's ACC Tournament field: Weller is 24-18 lifetime against Clemson and 12-13 vs. Jim Davis ... Weller is 30-14 lifetime against Duke and 7-9 vs. Gail Goestenkors ... Weller is 14-4 lifetime vs. Florida State and 2-2 vs. Sue Semrau ... Weller is 31-9 lifetime against Georgia Tech and 17-7 vs. Agnus Berenato ... Weller is 25-21 lifetime against North Carolina and 15-13 vs. Sylvia Hatchell ... Weller is 24-32 lifetime against NC State and Kay Yow ... Weller is 20-31 lifetime against Virginia and 19-31 overall vs. Debbie Ryan ... Weller is 35-8 lifetime against Wake Forest and 3-1 vs. Charlene Curtis.

SERIES HISTORIES
Against Clemson, Maryland boasts a 24-19 series advantage despite losing five straight. The Tigers ousted the Terps from last season's ACC Tournament, 63-44, in the tourney semifinals, and swept a pair of meetings this season. Maryland last defeated Clemson two seasons ago with wins at home and on the road. Maryland has won six of the last eight meetings with the Tigers at Cole Field House.

Maryland owns a 30-14 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 nine of the last 13 including both meetings this season.

Maryland defeated Florida State 94-76 on Jan. 17 in what was its largest ACC victory margin this season, but lost 69-63 in Tallahassee just two weeks ago. Maryland and FSU have split their meetings in each of the past two seasons. Maryland owns a 14-4 lead in the series, winning seven of the last nine.

Maryland and Georgia Tech have met 40 times overall, dating to the opening game of the 1979-80 campaign. Maryland is 31-9 against the Yellow Jackets including four of the last five. The Terps and Jackets split a pair of meetings in 1998-99. Only once in 19 tries has Georgia Tech ever won at Cole Field House - 67-59 on Feb. 5, 1995.

North Carolina has won 10 of the last 12 in the series which dates to Feb. 7, 1976. Maryland leads the overall ledger, 25-21. After splitting a pair of meetings last season, the Tar Heels swept the Terrapins in 1998-99. Maryland's last win over North Carolina was an 84-62 upset win over the then-No. 7 ranked Heels in an ESPN2 nationally-televised game at Cole Field House on Jan. 18, 1998.

The Terps and NC State have met 56 times since their first encounter on Feb. 6, 1976, with the Wolfpack holding a 32-24 series advantage. All previous meetings have included Chris Weller and Kay Yow on their respective sidelines. The Wolfpack swept the Terrapins in two regular season meetings last year by a combined 30 points, before Maryland upset the No. 9 'Pack in the ACC quarterfinals, 61-48. NC State had its way with the Terps this season, catching Maryland in two of its most forgettable games of the season. The Wolfpack has won five of the last six meetings against the Terps, and 16 of 24 in the '90s.

Maryland is 20-31 against Virginia in a series which dates to Feb. 11, 1977. The Cavaliers have won 16 straight games in the series, sweeping the Terps in every meeting since a 70-66 win at Cole Field House on Jan. 30, 1993. The fabled Maryland-Virginia series includes a No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting at Cole Field House on Feb. 11, 1992 - seven years ago this week. Virginia came away with a 75-74 win before a sellout crowd and still the largest crowd to witness an ACC regular season game. That milestone game came just one month after then-No. 3 Maryland had upended No. 1 Virginia, 67-65 in Charlottesville, sending the Terps to their first No. 1 ranking in history.

Maryland leads the Wake Forest series 35-8, with the Deacons snapping a five-game Terrapin win streak in a 65-47 decision on Dec. 13 this season at Cole Field House. Maryland rebounded with a 68-66 nailbiting victory in Winston-Salem on Feb. 6. The Terps downed the Deacons in both meetings last year: a 56-52 overtime win in Winston-Salem and a nailbiting 61-59 win in College Park. With the exception of the Dec. 13 game of this season in which Maryland starters Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson were absent, the last three games of the Terp-Deacon series have all been decided in overtime or by two points or less.

NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Terps played 10 games this season against teams ranked in national top 25 polls. This week's rankings:

AP (Feb. 22)          ESPN/USA Today (Feb. 23)
 7. Rutgers            8. Rutgers
 8. Duke               9. Duke
13. North Carolina    14. North Carolina
15. Penn State        15. Penn State
16. Clemson           16. Clemson
19. Virginia          18. Virginia

POSTSEASON BANQUET ANNOUNCED
The Terrapins will host their annual postseason awards banquet on April 16 at the Grand Ballroom of the Stamp Student Union on the Maryland campus. Ticket information for the annual awards banquet can be obtained by contacting the Maryland women's basketball office at 301-314-1747.

TERP PROMOTIONS
Information or additional group tickets may be obtained by calling the Maryland sports marketing office at 301-314-5252.

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 website 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.

MARYLAND TERRAPINS PROBABLE LINEUP

PROBABLE STARTERS

                                 Ht.  Yr. Hometown             PPG   RPG  APG  Notes
F  34  Deedee Warley (26/21)     6-2  Fr. Fort Washington, Md. 13.4  5.8  1.1  UM's 4th freshman scoring leader
F  45  Kelley Gibson (18/17)     5-11 Sr. Easton, Md.          12.4  3.9  4.2  Only Terrapin senior
C  55  Branka Bogunovic (26/21)  6-8  Jr. Zemun, Serbia        11.7  7.1  0.1  Eight double-doubles this season
G   3  Tiffany Brown (18/18)     5-6  Jr. Clinton, Md.          6.6  3.8  7.1  40 minutes in 14 of 18 games
G  20  March Strickland (26/26) 5-9  Fr. Kingston, Mass.       8.6  3.1  3.2  Only Terp to start all 26 games

                                 Ht.  Yr. Hometown             PPG   RPG  APG  Notes
G  25  Ginji Perry (25/1)        5-11 Fr. Hyattsville, Md.      4.7  2.2  1.6  Last 4 games - 5.8 pts in 13.8 min.
F  32  Antonieta Gabriel (21/6)  6-0  Jr. Virginia Beach, Va.   1.8  4.0  1.7  Among UM leaders in RPG, APG
F  33  Cara Ferris (25/12)       6-1  Jr. Pensacola, Fla.       3.6  3.6  1.0  Last 5 games - 7.5 pts in 22.8 min.

TERRAPIN NOTEBOOK

TERPS ARE TOURNAMENT'S WINNINGEST

Maryland is the winningest team in the history of the ACC women's basketball tournament. The Terps bring a 34-13 (.723) mark into this week's tournament in Charlotte. Other Terps notes in the ACC Tournament:

- Maryland has won the ACC's tournament crown an unprecedented eight times including its most recent in 1989. The Terps lost a bid for a ninth in 1993, losing 106-103 in triple overtime to Virginia.

- The Terps boast more all-tournament players than any school in tournament history, with 25 first-teamers and four second team selections. Maryland guard Sonia Chase was a second team pick at last year's tourney.

- Five former Terrapins have been named the tournament's MVP, including current Charlotte Sting forward Vicky Bullett who corraled the award in 1989.

NEVER FAILED TO REACH AT LEAST QUARTERS
Either through seeding or a first round victory, Maryland has never failed to reach the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. Only once since 1992 when the nine-team format required a "play-in" or first round game has Maryland appeared in a game prior to the quarters, defeating Florida State 72-56 in 1995.

WELLER IN THE TOURNAMENT
Maryland's coach in every ACC Tournament in history, Chris Weller is the winningest coach in tournament history. Her 34-13 mark is most closely contested by NC State's Kay Yow who boasts a 28-17 mark. Only Virginia's Debbie Ryan (24-18) has more than 20 tournament victories.

LOW SEEDS AND VICTORIES
Even when the Terps have not been highly-seeded, Chris Weller has proven tournament-ready. Last year's sixth-seeded Terps downed third-seed NC State last season, 61-48, to advance to the ACC semifinals.

The last time the Terps were seeded as low as seventh was in 1995 when Maryland was the #9 seed and faced #8 Florida State in a first round game. The Terps beat FSU 72-56 before falling to top-seed Virginia in the quarterfinals.

Maryland has never been seeded lower than sixth at any other time.

vs. WAKE IN THE TOURNAMENT
Maryland is 4-0 in ACC Tournament history against the Demon Deacons though the teams have not crossed paths in tourney play since 1990.

Maryland won an 87-68 quarterfinal contest that year behind 25 points >from sophomore guard Terri Bradley and 23 from senior center Christy Winters. Winters, now a Terrapin assistant coach, was a member of the 1990 all- tournament team.

Winters was first named to the ACC all-tournament team in 1988 when the Terps downed Wake Forest in the semis, 71-57. Winters scored 10 points in that game to send the Terps onto its finals victory over Virginia where she added 19.

The Terps and Deacons also met in quarterfinal games in 1984 and 1980. Maryland was victorious by a 68-50 count in Fayetteville, N.C., in '84, and won 100-49 in a game at Cole Field House in '80.

vs. WAKE - LAST FOUR GAMES
Maryland and Wake Forest have seen a hotly contested series take shape over the last two seasons with three of the last four games all decided either by two points, or in overtime.

The only exception was Wake's 18-point win at Cole Field House this season, in the final game prior to the return of Maryland starters Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson.

Maryland held on for a 61-59 win on Jan. 4 of last season at Cole Field House, and came from behind to down the Deacs 56-52 in overtime exactly a month later, Feb. 4, in Winston-Salem.

Charlene Curtis won her first game over the Terps in a 65-47 victory in College Park on Dec. 13 this season, but Maryland rallied for a 68-66 nailbiting victory on Feb. 6.

LAST 10 GAMES
In Maryland's last 10 regular season ACC games, the Terps either led or were tied during stretches of the second half, or clawed to within three points in the final four minutes of every contest.

SINCE THE BREAK
Maryland is 6-11 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, No. 15 Clemson, No. 9 Duke, No. 18 Virginia, No. 14 North Carolina and two against defending national semifinalist NC State.

Since the return of Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, Maryland is 6-12. The additional loss was to then-No. 15 Rutgers.

6-4 AGAINST UNRANKED OPPONENTS
Since the return of Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, the Terps are 6-4 against teams that are not in the top 25.

Included in that 6-4 mark are a pair of losses to defending national semifinalist NC State.

Road defeats at Georgia Tech and Florida State were Maryland's ONLY losses in that stretch to teams not at least receiving votes in major polls.

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 95 spots since the return of Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson.

- Maryland fell to a 252 rating on Dec. 20, its lowest of the season.

- The Terps' current rating of 157 is based largely on the 14th-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  Feb. 16 153
Dec. 20 252  Jan. 18 170  Feb. 18 167
Dec. 27 232  Jan. 22 180  Feb. 19 169
Dec. 31 207  Jan. 25 178  Feb. 22 157
Jan. 1  210  Jan. 29 170
Jan. 4  200  Feb. 4  166
Jan. 7  196  Feb. 8  158
Jan. 8  197  Feb. 10 155
Jan. 11 181  Feb. 11 154

In eight games prior to Brown & Gibson's return, Maryland never had scored more than 57 points.

In 18 games since, the Terps have mustered five wins and scored 60 points or better on 11 occasions. Eight of Maryland's opponents during that stretch have been nationally ranked. The Terps have exceeded the 70-point barrier five times since the return of Brown and Gibson.

Maryland Scoring

First 8 games (overall) 386 (8)  48.3
Overall               1,171 (18) 65.1
vs. ACC                 870 (14) 62.1
vs. Top 25              460 (8)  57.5

In the "third" season, its second trip through the ACC, Maryland was monumentally improved. This week, Maryland embarks on its "fourth season":

- Maryland lost by 41 at Clemson on Dec. 5, but was within five points of an upset with 3:03 to play on Jan. 28.

- Maryland lost to Wake Forest by 18 points at home on Dec. 13, but withstood 59 percent shooting by the Deacons in a second meeting to pull out a 68-66 nailbiter on the road.

- Duke beat the Terps by 29 on Jan. 2 in College Park and by 18 on Feb. 1 in Durham. The Terps trailed 45-25 at the intermission during the first meeting, but were tied at 33 in the second.

- Maryland trailed 55-25 at halftime at Chapel Hill on Jan. 10, but trailed by only three, 40-37, at the break last Thursday night to the Heels.

- In both games vs. Virginia this season, the Terps have been within striking distance in the final minutes. A six-point loss in Charlottesville was followed by a 14-point decision a month later, however the final margin was determined by a myriad of foul shots in the final minute. Erin Stovall's 3-pointer with just over three minutes to play stretched what was just a three-point UVa lead at the time.

- Georgia Tech outdistanced the Terps by 16 in Atlanta, but Maryland turned the tables for a 13-point win in College Park to end the regular season.

2ND HALF IN THE SECOND HALF
If "competitive" is the new operative word around the Maryland camp, the next task is to win not only during the first half.

In seven of the Terps' last 10 ACC games, Maryland has been "even" or better at the intermission. Only three times during those 10 games have the Terps not been within five points during the game's final 4:00.

Until the final week of play vs. NC State, Florida State and Georgia Tech, six straight games were determined either by a decisive second half run, or during the game's final minutes.

Date     Opponent       Final     1st    2nd
Jan. 17  Florida State  W, 94-76  50-25  44-51

Jan. 21  at Ga. Tech    L, 56-72  22-28  34-44

Jan. 28  Clemson        L, 45-55  26-32  19-23

Feb. 1   at Duke        L, 54-72  33-33  21-39

Feb. 6   at Wake Forest W, 68-66  32-27  36-39

Feb. 8   Virginia       L, 55-69  25-27  30-42

Feb. 11  North Carolina L, 63-78  37-40  26-38

Feb. 15  at NC State    L, 53-86  16-32  37-54

Feb. 18  at Florida St. L, 63-66  26-37  37-32

Feb. 21  Georgia Tech   W, 92-79  41-30  51-49

WHY? - DEPTH AND YOUTH
Why the struggle during the second half of games? Perhaps the explanation is as easy as youth and depth.

Check these statistics:

- Besides being the youngest team in the rugged ACC with a half-dozen freshmen, Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson are 1-2 in the conference in minutes average in league play, while March Strickland is eighth. As of mid- February, Brown, Gibson and Strickland were 1-2-4. Strickland has played more minutes in the ACC this season than any other freshman in the league.

ACC MINUTES AVG. IN ACC GAMES

1. Tiffany Brown, Maryland  38.4
2. Kelley Gibson, Maryland  35.6
3. Tynesha Lewis, NC State  33.9
4. Nikki Teasley, North Carolina    33.9
5. Kenya Williams, Georgia Tech 33.7
6. Regina Tate, Georgia Tech    33.4
7. Jen Robinson, Florida State  32.8
8. March Strickland, Maryland  34.7

- Overall, Maryland players have played an entire 40-minute game on 24 occasions this season. In ACC games alone, Terrapin individuals have accounted for 17 40-minute efforts in just 16 games.

- Point guard Tiffany Brown has played in all 40 minutes in nine of 10 games entering the ACC Tournament.

- Terp freshmen have accounted for a Maryland record 56 starting assignments in just 26 games. The Terps have had no less than two freshmen start every game, with as many as four during the early season.

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 26 games this year, Maryland freshmen have registered 56 starting assignments - at least two freshmen have started in every game.

- Three Terp freshmen (Perry, Strickland, Warley) average at least 14 minutes per game. Four, including Rosita Melbourne, average at least 10 minutes per game.

- Strickland has started in every game, while Warley has started in 21 of 26.

- Strickland averages 33.6 minutes, leading the ACC in overall minutes played .

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.

Early evidence of their absence was poor shooting and ballhandling by a team comprised mostly of freshmen and almost exclusively by newcomers. Early this season, the Terps averaged nearly 30 turnovers and more than two turnovers per assist.

Shooting                        Assists-Turnovers
First 8 games   164-415,  .395  111-213 (1.0-1.9)
Last 18 games   452-1026, .441  317-394 (1.0-1.2)
Season          616-1441, .427  428-607 (1.0-1.4)

TERPS ARE:

6-1  when leading at halftime.
5-0  when leading with 5:00 to play.
5-0  when shooting 50% or better.
3-3  vs. ACC teams in day games (before 6 p.m.).
0-10 vs. ACC teams in night games.
6-0  when scoring 68 points or better.
0-20 when scoring 63 points or fewer.
0-5  when opponents score 80 points or better.
0-16 when trailing at halftime.
1-20 when trailing with 5:00 to play.
0-12 when shooting below 40%.
0-13 when shooting lower FG% than opponent.
1-18 when shooting fewer FTs than opponent.
1-12 when outrebounded by opponent.
1-17 with more turnovers than opponent.
0-10 vs. Top 25 opponents.

A fifth-year senior, Gibson has overcome three knee injuries and has captained a team this season which has been saddled with as many obstacles as any in Terp history. She plays her final home game on Sunday against Georgia Tech.

399 of 400
Junior point guard Tiffany Brown has played 399 of Maryland's last 400 minutes. She has played all 40 minutes in nine of the last 10 games, and in 14 of her 18 games overall.

NATIONALLY-RANKED BROWN
In 18 games since her return, Brown averages 7.1 assists which would lead the ACC, and rank ninth nationally (according to stats released Feb. 22) - given she had played enough games to qualify (75 percent of total team games is required).

1998-99 NCAA ASSISTS LEADERS

 1. Dalma Ivanyi, Florida Int'l  Sr  25  230  9.2
 2. Nikki Kremer, Xavier         Sr  26  221  8.5
 3. Amy Vachon, Maine            Jr  23  186  8.1
 4. Lisa Witherspoon, Va. Tech   Sr  26  210  8.1
 5. Helen Darling, Penn St.      Jr  26  207  8.0
 6. Amy Sheiron, Sam Houston St. Sr  24  191  8.0
 7. Brandi McCain, Florida       Fr  30  225  7.5
 8. Erica Gomez, UCLA            Jr  26  190  7.3
 9. Tiffany Brown, Maryland      Jr  18  128  7.1
10. Milena Flores, Stanford      Jr  25  169  6.8
11. Tasha Pointer, Rutgers       So  26  175  6.7

In order for Brown to qualify, Maryland must win this week's ACC Tournament and its first game of the NCAA Tournament. Brown would have to play 24 of 32 games before she would meet the 75 percent minimum.

BROWN IN THE ACC RECORD BOOK - MORE MINIMUM BASHING
Those pesky NCAA statistical minimums!

Were Brown above those minimums, her season assist average would currently rank third all-time in the ACC record book:

ACC SINGLE SEASON ASSISTS AVERAGE

                                 Avg.
1. Tara Heiss, Maryland, 1978              8.0
2. Tiffany Martin, Georgia Tech, 1995      7.3
3. Tiffany Brown, Maryland, 1999           7.1
3. Gretchen Hollifield, Wake Forest, 1995  7.0
4. Dawn Staley, Virginia, 1991             6.9 

CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOALS

                       FGs
1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present   99
2. Carla Holmes, 1988-91         75
3. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present   64
4. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97       39

                      Atts.
1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present  336
2. Kelley Gibson, 1994-present  238
3. Carla Holmes, 1988-91        199

                      Assists
 1. Debbie Lytle, 1980-83       583
 2. Tara Heiss, 1975-78         504
 3. Deanna Tate, 1986, 88-89    500
 8. Sonia Chase, 1995-98        371
 9. Jasmina Perazic, 1980-83    342
10. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 305
11. Karon Ferguson, 1992-95     294
12. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 267
13. Dafne Lee, 1989-92          251

                      Steals
 1. Debbie Lytle, 1980-83       315
 2. Sonia Chase, 1995-98        309
 7. Lisa Brown, 1985-88         212
 8. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98    188
 9. Marcia Richardson, 1981-84  182
10. Subrena Rivers, 1986-90     162
11. Dafne Lee, 1989-92          153
12. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 152
13. Jessie Hicks, 1990-93       139

                   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  41
15. Belinda Pearman, 1981-84     36

PLAYMAKER BROWN
Brown currently owns the second-best assist average in Maryland single season annals. Her 7.1 assists trail only the school record pace of Tara Heiss' 8.0 during the 1977-78 campaign.

SINGLE SEASON ASSIST AVERAGE

                          G  Ast  Avg
1. Tara Heiss, 1978      31  249  8.0
2. Tiffany Brown, 1999   18  128  7.1
3. Deanna Tate, 1989     32  217  6.8
4. Debbie Lytle, 1982    32  183  5.7

SINGLE SEASON ASSISTS

                          Assists
 1. Tara Heiss, 1978      249
 2. Deanna Tate, 1989     217
 3. Debbie Lytle, 1982    183
 4. Deanna Tate, 1988     177
10. Subrena Rivers, 1990  142
11. Limor Mizrachi, 1992  141
12. Carla Holmes, 1988    138
13. Aluma Goren, 1991     132
14. Jasmina Perazic, 1983 131
15. Tiffany Brown, 1999   128
16. Kelley Gibson, 1998   119

- Named the ACC's Rookie of the Week for a third time last week, Warley is a leading candidate for ACC Rookie of the Year honors.

- Warley leads the team in scoring (13.4) and blocks (0.6), and is second in rebounds (5.8) and field goal percentage (.509). She is ranked among conference leaders in scoring and field goal percentage.

- She earned her third rookie honor in the final week of the regular season, averaging 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in three games. She led the Terps with 13 points and nine boards at Florida State, and scored 20 points with six rebounds in the win over Georgia Tech.

- She recorded career highs and her first double-double with 31 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Morgan State. She followed that effort with a 23-point game at Wake Forest to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors for the second time this season. She had another 23-point effort vs. Virginia.

- 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 fourth ACC 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.

- 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 18 games this season. She provides 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 on the high post. Warley shoots 50.9 percent from the floor with a majority of her scoring actually away from the basket.

- 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.

FRESHMAN LEADING SCORER
Warley is bidding to become just the fourth freshman in Maryland history to lead the Terps in scoring. Stephanie Cross (11.5) accomplished the feat in 1995. Other freshmen to lead Maryland in scoring were Beth Hunt in 1987 (16.1) and Deanna Tate in 1986 (16.7).

ACC ROOKIES OF THE WEEK
Deedee Warley trailed only Georgia Tech's Niesha Butler in earning conference rookie of the week accolades this season. Butler claimed the award seven times to Warley's three. The only other duplicate winner was Florida State's April Traylor.

In all, with Ginji Perry, Maryland players won Rookie of the Week honors four times this season:

Dec. 14 Deedee Warley
at Penn State, vs. Wake Forest
Jan. 18 Ginji Perry
vs. NC State, vs. Florida State
Feb. 8  Deedee Warley
at Duke, vs. Morgan State, at Wake Forest
Feb. 22 Deedee Warley
at NC State, at Florida State, vs. Georgia Tech

On the season, Warley and Bogunovic are first and third in scoring for Maryland, and first and second in rebounding.

- Together, they shoot 55.0 percent from the floor (283 of 515).

- Against Georgia Tech in the regular season finale, Bogunovic and Warley totaled 42 points, 22 rebounds and shot 70 percent against the Yellow Jackets. Warley shot 9 of 12 for 20 points. Bogunovic hit 8 of 12 shots and added six free throws for 22 points.

BRANKA AMONG NCAA LEADERS
Junior center Branka Bogunovic is currently ranked second in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 16th nationally, directly behind Duke's Michele VanGorp.

1998-99 NCAA FIELD GOAL PCT. LEADERS

 1. Tammi Blackstone, Drake         Jr  25  179-263 .681
 2. Ruth Riley, Notre Dame          So  25  159-237 .671
10. Amy Kieckbusch, Ball St.        Sr  25  205-328 .625
11. Julie Studer, Kent              So  22  137-220 .623
12. DeTrina White, LSU              Fr  26  140-225 .622
13. Tere Williams, Va. Tech         So  25  163-265 .615
14. Shea Ralph, Connecticut         So  23  123-202 .609
15. Michele VanGorp, Duke           Sr  26  206-341 .604
16. Branka Bogunovic, Maryland      Jr  26  137-228 .601
17. Jackie Raterman, Bowling Green  Sr  25  221-368 .601
18. Diane Sens, Tenn. Tech          Jr  26  161-269 .599
19. Karalyn Church, Vermont         Jr  25  225-379 .594
20. Summer Erb, NC State            Jr  26  222-375 .592    

SINGLE SEASON FG PCT.

                               FG-FGA   Pct.
1. Jessie Hicks, 1992-93      205-324  .633
2. Kalisa Davis, 1997-98      143-237  .603
3. Vicky Bullett, 1987-88     243-404  .602
4. Branka Bogunovic, 1998-99  137-228  .601
5. Jessie Hicks, 1990-91      177-296  .598
6. Jessie Hicks, 1991-92      178-301  .591

STRICKLAND STARTING STREAK
March Strickland's 26-game consecutive starting streak is Maryland's longest by a freshman since Edna Campbell started all 29 games of the 1986-87 season.

Her 26 starts are one the most overall by a freshman since Lillian Purvis started 27 of 28 games in 1993-94. Strickland can tie and surpass Purvis' total at this week's tournament.

Strickland's streak is the longest overall since Sonia Chase started 75 consecutive games between her freshman campaign (2) in 1994-95 and her senior year (18) in 1997-98. She started all of 55 games between her sophomore (27) an junior (28) seasons.

Comparing freshman starts, Chase started 22 games overall as a freshman, beginning her streak in the final two games of the season

LINEUP SHUFFLE
The Terps have used 10 different starting lineups this season. The Warley-Gibson-Brown-Strickland quartet has been utilized in 15 of the last 16 games. Freshman March Strickland is the only player to start every game.

LARGEST CROWD
Maryland welcomed its two largest crowds of the year (2,817 vs. North Carolina, 3,124 vs. Georgia Tech) in its final two home dates, despite its record.

Maryland has averaged 1,293 in 15 home dates in 1998-99, and 1,797 in eight ACC home dates - despite its record.

Maryland attendance figures the last three seasons:

Year (Record)   Overall / Avg.          ACC / Avg.
1996-97 (18-10)  20,124 / 1,548 (13) 16,954 / 2,119 (9)
1997-98 (15-13)  14,873 / 1,144 (13) 12,641 / 1,580 (8)
1998-99 (6-20)   19,401 / 1,293 (15) 14,372 / 1,797 (8)

MEN GOT BILLY, BUT WOMEN GOT CAL
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Billy Ripken was in attendance at Maryland's men's basketball game with Duke this year, among other celebs, but the Maryland women drew Billy's better-known brother, Cal Ripken, to their season finale against Georgia Tech.

On hand with their two children, Rachel (9) and Ryan (5), Cal and Kelly Ripken attended the Maryland game as part of Girl Scout Day. Rachel participated in pregame activities with her scout troup, and stayed long after the game to obtain autographs from Terrapin players.

Kelly is a native of the state and a Maryland graduate.

(Yes, Cal was detained for more than an hour after the game by autograph seekers - only this time it was his daughter doing the seeking. Cal waited with Ryan in the press room.)

FERRIS & THE FRESHMEN
Boasting six freshmen on the roster and missing returning starters Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, the Terps 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 during its first eight games:

Player                    Mins.    Pts.   Rebs.
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
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

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.

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.

WINTERS REVISITED
As mentioned earlier, Maryland assistant coach Christy Winters was a two-time ACC all-tournament pick during her four-year career. Winters ended her career as the second-leading scorer in Terp history behind Vicky Bullett.

These winter months leading to this year's tournament were especially memorable for the Northern Virginia native. Winters was engaged to be married earlier this season, to former University of Miami point guard Jerome Scott. The couple is undergoing discussions as to whether their children will play the post or perimeter.

TERPS BY THE NUMBERS

1
Terp seniors that have played this season.

2
Tiffany Brown's rank among Maryland single season assist leaders.

3
Only three classes of players under Chris Weller have failed to participate in at least one Sweet Sixteen appearance.

2 and 4
Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson rank second and fourth in the ACC in league assists.

6
Six freshmen on the Maryland roster are the most since seven in 1985-86.

7.1 and 9th
18-game assist average for Tiffany Brown which would rank her ninth in the country. Her previous career average was 2.7.

8
Double-double efforts by Branka Bogunovic.

9
Teams on the 1998-99 Terrapin schedule that qualified for last year's NCAA Tournament.

10
Terrapin starting lineups in 1998-99.

14
Terps' national strength of schedule rating.

18
Assists by Tiffany Brown vs. Morgan State were the most by a Div. I player since 1994.

26
Freshman March Strickland is the only Terrapin to start every game this season.

31
Career-high points by Deedee Warley vs. Morgan State.

56
Starting assignments by Maryland freshmen.

56 Points that Kelley Gibson needs to become the 18th 1,000-point scorer in Terp history.

95
Spots of improvement in national RPI ratings since Dec. 22 game vs. Rutgers.

QUOTING COACH WELLER

From Feb. 23 teleconference:
"We were real pleased with our final [regular season] game. I think we've learned alot in our last three games in terms of what focus really is. We were really focused [against Georgia Tech]. I guess Senior Day brings that out in every team, I guess. I like the way we're playing right now. We're not very experienced going down [to Charlotte]. We're going to stay through the whole tournament, at least through Sunday, win or lose because we want them to figure out what this whole experience is all about. I do feel good about our team's focus. They're very positive. We're approaching the tournament much like we've done all season. The next game is the biggest game on our schedule. We're going to try to get a win and if we're fortunate enough to do that, we'll try again to get another one. I'm excited about the tournament. I think it's going to be a great one. I think all of the teams have demonstrated tremendous competitive ability throughout the season."

On key players heading into the tournament:
"We're one of those teams that if just our top two or three players play, we couldn't win. We're going to have to have every single person playing very well, much like we did on Sunday [vs. Georgia Tech]. Kelley Gibson is obviously our team leader, our only senior. Tiffany Brown has to have a nice, steady game. Deedee Warley has to make sure we can find her. She got lost a couple of times in a couple of other games. I think everybody has different things to contribute. I don't know that we really have a 'go-to' player. That's been a part of our problem throughout the year. We just haven't been together with this unit that long. It's really going to have to be a team effort."

On the ranked teams in comparison to other years:
"I think they're very strong. I think the fact that we play each other throughout the season really helps all of our representatives when they get into the national tournament. Not just our tournament champion. You can't get any better seasoning than coming through a regular season in the ACC. I think our four teams, maybe even five, are ready I think to move quite far in the national tournament. Any of them can."

On expectations for the Wake Forest game in the tournament:
"[We're looking forward to] another close game. We had a two-point game down there and were very excited to win our first road game. We sort of reacted like we'd won the national championship. I that that both teams are going to try to set the tempo. That's going to be interesting. Both teams feel that they can play a little more of an up-tempo game against one another. I think we're pretty comparable. It'll be a great game."

On better play vs. Georgia Tech after two sub-par games:
"We have to be focused in order to play really well on a given night. We aren't going to beat anybody just by showing up. But we've been working on that. We work hard, we're a good team, we just go out there and do our best. Everything about us was just a little quicker tonight [against Georgia Tech]. We jumped a little higher and reacted a little faster. I don't think we were playing with as much confidence in the last couple of games. I just think we were a little flat [against NC State and Florida State]."