The Maryland women?s basketball team dominated Virginia for 36 minutesSunday, leading by as many as 28 points before winning, 83-74. But coach Brenda Frese knows her No. 6 Terps can?t let teams make a game competitive like Virginia did in the final three-plus minutes and expect to win against the top teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Maryland (24-3, 8-3 ACC) faces a big test tonight when it visits Florida State (18-7, 7-3). The Seminoles lost to No. 2 North Carolina, 80-59, on Monday and are a half-game behind the Terps for third place in the ACC. The top four teams in the league get a first-round bye in the tournament.
“I was pleased to come away with a road win and sweep a big conference rival,” Frese said of the Virginia win. “But we all know how talented Florida State is, and they have played well at home. We need to understand that and the task in front of us and make sure we play hard for 40 minutes.”
Florida State is a young team with freshmen and sophomores playing key roles, as the Seminoles try to reach the NCAA tournament for a third straight year. The team?s leader, though, is senior guard Alicia Gladden, who averages 14.2 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. Brittany Miller, a 6-foot-4 sophomore center, averages 12 points and 6.2 rebounds, while freshman forward Jacinta Monroe contributes 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.
“Brittany Miller has really grown up for us, especially the last two weeks,” Florida State coach Sue Semrau said. “Jacinta Miller has also been somewhat of a surprise for us this year. Alicia Gladden has also done a great job as the only senior on getting the point across to the younger player what to expect playing in the ACC.”
Maryland has a chance of making a strong case for a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament over the next couple of days. After tonight?s game, the team must immediately prepare to host top-ranked Duke Sunday.
“This whole season is a process,” Frese said. “We are not defined by the two losses in a row wehad earlier, but it was a low point for us. Hopefully, those losses helped us refocus and we can play well in both games this week, starting with Florida State.”
Terps on parade
» Florida State is 9-2 at home this year, with its only losses coming against No. 1 Duke and No. 2 North Carolina.
» Maryland leads the all-time series against Florida State, 20-12, and has won four of the last seven meetings, including last year?s 75-57 win at College Park.
» Tonight?s game will be televised on ESPN2, with Maryland native Pam Ward and Nancy Lieberman calling the action.
