When the Maryland women?s basketball team won the national title two years ago, its mantra became “overtime is our time” by winning all six games decided after regulation.
But entering Thursday?s Atlantic Coast Conference game against visiting Miami at Comcast Center, the fourth-ranked Terrapins likely would be glad to let overtime be someone else’s time following their 97-86 double-overtime loss at No. 3 North Carolina on Saturday.
It was the second straight double-overtime game for Maryland (22-2, 6-1), as the Terrapins defeated Georgia Tech, 99-97, on Jan. 20.
During the loss to the conference-leading Tar Heels (18-2, 5-0), who ended Maryland?s 12-game winning streak, the Terrapins received another impressive performance from their frontcourt of forward Crystal Langhorne (23 points, eight rebounds) and center Laura Harper (12 points, 10 rebounds).
Langhorne has played especially well recently, averaging 24.7 points and 13 rebounds the past three games. She credits Harper, who is averaging a career-best 14.1 points per game, for preventing defenses from double-teaming her every time she touches the ball.
“We’ve played so much together and we really understand each other’s game,” said Langhorne, who missed five games with a sprained ankle earlier this season. “Laura’s worked on her game so much in the offseason and you can see the improvement.”
Harper, who played with Langhorne on the U.S. Under-21 National team last summer, said improving her conditioning began during her freshmen season when she missed the final 23 games after rupturing her Achillies? tendon.
“There’s a lot of teams that only have one post player and I just didn’t want Maryland to be like that,” Harper said. “We really haven’t been double-teamed this year. I worked on my game a lot this summer and I’m still working on my game.”
Maryland, which is in second place in the ACC, will face Miami (8-12, 1-4), which is coming off a 75-70 loss to Florida State (14-6, 4-1) on Thursday. Senior guard Maurita Reid, who is averaging a 16.5 points per game, is the lone Hurricane averaging in double figures.
Maryland coach Brenda Frese said it is imperative the Terrapins maintain their success in the low post. Miami is the worst rebounding team in the ACC, grabbing just 38.1 per game compared to Maryland?s 43.7.
“Crystal and Laura know what?s at stake,” Frese said. “They’ve played all these teams and just have the will to win. They have a tremendous amount of confidence in themselves and in their teammates.”
Maryland vs. Miami
» Tipoff: Thursday, 7 p.m.
» Where: Comcast Center
» TV: None
» Radio: None
» Tickets: Available
