April 1, 2011
Read Part I: Growing Up
As the season went on, the young Terrapins pulled out many come-from-behind wins and fought to the bitter end in every game. From the first week of the season, they began learning how to win tough games at the next level.
In just the second game of the season, the Terps learned a tough lesson at Georgetown. They shot just 17 percent from the floor and less than 10 percent from outside the arc, They trailed by nine with 11 minutes left in the game, but the talented group fought to take a two-point lead with just under two minutes to play. Through the tough loss one thing was clear: Maryland was never out of a game.
Two weeks later, the Terrapins found themselves in a similar situation at Purdue. With 5:24 left in the game, the Boilermakers had an 11-point lead. From that point on, the Terps went on a tear to outscore Purdue 14-2 to win 56-55.
"One thing I took great pride in with this team was that I felt like they never folded during a challenging regular season. That's when you find out about what your team is made of- in those situations where some teams would put up the white flag. Even in most of the games we lost, we were always fighting until the end," head coach Brenda Frese said.
"We were in some tough situations, trailing late and on the road at Georgetown, Purdue, Virginia and Georgia Tech. In each case they rallied to take the lead and in all but one, we won the game."
At Virginia, the Terrapins faced a desperate Cavaliers squad that was 0-3 in conference games. Once again, Maryland trailed late, but a three by Diandra Tchatchouang with 14 seconds left forced overtime. Tchatchouang scored the game-winner in the final seconds in the extra period.
The Terps saw all kinds of difficulties this year, including a power outage at Georgia Tech. Just as the Terrapins rallied from a deficit, the lights in Alexander Memorial Coliseum went out with 2:11 left in the game and Maryland up by one. Tied with 19 seconds left, Alicia DeVaughn forced a Yellow Jacket turnover that gave the Terps a chance for the win.
During a timeout, the team collectively decided which play to run for their final shot in regulation. Anjale Barrett found Kim Rodgers open in the corner for a game-winning three with 1.3 seconds left.
Check back Monday for more on the Terps' season.
