Nov 21, 2001
Final Stats
By CHUCK SCHOFFNER
AP Sports Writer
AMES, Iowa - LaToya Thomas had 29 points and 15 rebounds and
Mississippi State rallied from 11 down in the final six minutes to beat No. 22
Maryland 71-61 on Wednesday night in the Coaches vs. Cancer Challenge.
Mississippi State (3-0) flustered Maryland with a full-court press and went
on a 28-4 run after the Terrapins (2-1) built a 51-40 lead with 6:48 remaining.
Thomas, a preseason All-American, scored 12 points during that stretch and
Renea Jones had seven while keying the Lady Bulldogs' defensive pressure.
Jones hit a 3-pointer, a baseline jumper and two free throws and made a
steal as Mississippi State ran off 12 straight points to take a 56-53 lead.
Maryland drew to 56-55 on Deedee Warley's basket with 2:16 remaining, but
Mississippi State answered quickly. Thomas converted a three-point play after
posting up and went on to score the next six points as the Lady Bulldogs pulled
away, opening a 68-55 lead with less than a minute to play.
Freshman Tan White scored 15 points for Mississippi State, Jennifer
Fambrough had 14 and Jones 13.
Kiki Wimbush led Maryland with 15 points and Marche Strickland scored 11.
The Terrapins finished with 22 turnovers and shot 38 percent.
Maryland showed great balance after taking a 28-27 halftime lead. A
different player scored each of the Terrapins' first six baskets in the second
half as they opened a 44-36 lead. Strickland's 3-pointer boosted the lead to
49-38 and Rosita Melbourne sank two free throws to make it 51-40.
