Terrapin Women Get 60-48 Win Over Local-Rival UMBC
Dec. 28, 2001
College Park, Md. - Maryland's women's basketball team pulled away for a 60-48 win over UMBC on Friday night at Allfirst Court in Cole Field House. The Terps raise their record to 8-4 before entering the heart if the ACC season, while UMBC falls to 4-6.
The Terrapins struggled to a six-point halftime lead, taking only 10 shots in the opening half and weathering 16 first-half turnovers. Maryland's saving grace was its height, with three post players scoring six or more in the first half including eight from starting center Jamecca Harrell (Oxon Hill, Md.). The Terps' ability to hit from the free throw line, going 8-8 in the half, and their .833 shooting percentage from the field also kept Maryland's lead, which it held from start to finish.
UMBC's defense gave the Terrapins trouble all night, but Maryland was able to pull away in the second half with a defensive change of its own, going to a man-to-man. The Terrapins continued to capitalize on their height, outscoring UMBC 30-18 in the paint for the game and sending interior players to the free throw line for 17 of Maryland's 31 attempts.
"I think UMBC played a tough game. I think 27 turnovers says it all - it's amazing that you can win a ball game with 27 turnovers," said Maryland head coach Chris Weller in her postgame comments. " We have to do a better job handling the ball, but their defense had something to do with that, too."
Harrell led Maryland with 15, and was one rebound short of a double-double, grabbing nine rebounds. March? Strickland (Kingston, Mass.) was the only other Terrapin in double figures, with 10 points.
"I think we surprised some people who don't know our team," commented Retriever head coach Jennifer Bednarek. "As crazy as it might sound, though - I'm not satisfied... We're getting better, but we still hate to lose."
Shalayna Johnson scored 12 points to lead the Retrievers, while Jessie Brown and Millette Green pitched in 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
Maryland's 60-48 win over UMBC was not without it's record-breaking qualities. The Terrapins broke the record for field goal percentage in a half, going 10-12 for .833 percent. The record, previously set against North Carolina on Jan. 28, 1989, was .793 on 23-29 shooting.
The Terps also shattered the record for fewest shot attempts in a game, previously 39 against Georgia Tech. Versus UMBC, the Terps took only 26 shots.
Maryland heads to Chapel Hill Saturday for a 2 p.m. match-up against No. 20/19 North Carolina. UMBC starts its conference season on Jan. 5 against Monmouth at 7 p.m.
