Feb. 5, 2010
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland women's basketball team fell to No. 21 Georgia Tech in a second half battle after they climbed out of a 15-point deficit. The Yellow Jackets held on in the final seconds for the 61-60 victory.
The Terrapins (16-7 overall, 3-5 ACC) were looking for a spark as Georgia Tech (19-5, 5-3) incessantly pressed the young team each drive up the court. Senior Lori Bjork and sophomores Anjale Barrett and Kim Rodgers stepped up to provide some leadership and direction for the youthful team. Bjork and Rodgers gave the Terps the outside game they needed, both hitting key three-pointers. Bjork was 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and had 11 points before halftime.
Sophomore Yemi Oyefuwa even flexed her veteran muscle, earning her fourth career start and playing a career-high 20 minutes and pulling down a career-best eight rebounds.
Maryland fell early to the experienced Yellow Jackets whose roster boasts nine returning letter winners and three starters from last year's team. Both teams suffered dismal shooting in the first six minutes of play, with Georgia Tech holding the Terrapins scoreless and GT only posting six points in that time.
The Terrapins gave a stronger second half going on a 21-4 run sparked by a layup from sophomore Lynetta Kizer with 14:57 on the clock. The streak lasted nine and a half minutes. Five Maryland players contributed to the run including freshmen Jackie Nared and Tianna Hawkins. Maryland's more aggressive defense after halftime forced Georgia Tech into13 turnovers and limiting the Jackets to 36.4 percent shooting from the field.
Maryland broke down Georgia Tech's lead to five points with nine minutes lingering. Ardossi hit two free-throws to take the Yellow Jackets up 52-45. But Barrett nabbed a steal and hit a fast break layup to keep the game close and an assist by Rodgers to Hawkins closed the gap to three. One minute later a three-pointer by Rodgers knotted the game at 52.
Just over five minutes remained in the game. GT's Alex Montgomery hit a jumper following the media timeout but Rodgers answered with another three of her own for the Terps to take their first lead of the game, 55-54.
The score tied three times in the last five minutes.
With one minute remaining Montgomery hit a jumper to take Georgia Tech up 59-57. Kizer hit two free throws to tie the game back up with 31.9 seconds left on the clock. The Yellow Jackets let the clock tick down to six seconds. Montgomery got fouled and went to the line for three. She missed the first but hit the next two, giving her team a two-point lead. GT's Mo Bennett fouled Barrett as she went for the layup, leaving one second on the clock. She hit the first but the second bounced off the rim, leaving the score at 61-60, giving the Yellow Jackets the rare win over the Terrapins.
Georgia Tech was led by junior Alex Montgomery with 20 points. Senior Brigitte Ardossi also registered double-figures with 15 points and pulled down a team-high six rebounds and nabbed five steals.
Maryland continues to lead the all-time series against Georgia Tech, 42-17, including a 24-4 record in Comcast Center.
Tonight's game will be tape-delayed and shown Comcast Sports Net at 8:30 p.m. tonight.
Maryland remains at home in ACC play when they host No. 24 Virginia Monday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on Comcast SportsNet, Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Florida. Maryland's game against the Cavaliers will also be aired live on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network with Matt Noble and David Preston.
Single-game ticket packages are available for purchase online at umterps.com or by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP.
