In a span of two weeks, the Maryland women?s basketball team went from being the topteam in the country to being the fourth-place team in its own conference.
That?s the current reality for Maryland following Sunday?s 84-71 loss to North Carolina in front of a sellout crowd of 17,950 at Comcast Center. The loss to the Tar Heels came 15 days after the Terps lost at Duke, 81-62.
No. 2 UNC (23-0, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) is currently a half-game ahead of No. 1 Duke (21-0, 6-0) in the conference standings. Entering the week, No. 4 Maryland (21-2, 5-2) was in fourth place, a half-game behind Florida State (16-5, 5-1).
Unlike the Duke game, Maryland gave North Carolina a scare in the second half Sunday, storming back from 20 points down to pull within 67-66 with 3:15 remaining.
Maryland coach Brenda Frese was upset over the loss but pleased with her team?s second-half effort.
“That was a tremendous game with an amazing atmosphere,” Frese said. “Obviously, we?re disappointed to come out on this end. I think our team showed a lot of heart, and it took a lot of courage when we got down by 20, against one of the best teams in the country, to be able to come back. I?m pleased with the fact that we never gave up.”
Still, Frese knows that for Maryland to get back in the ACC title picture, it has to get better.
“We have played on the biggest stage in the world, and we need to find a way to get our swagger back,” Frese said “Sometimes, this team wants to perform and play so well that they put unnecessary pressure on themselves. We need to get back to being relaxed and having fun instead of getting down upon ourselves.”
Maryland junior forward Laura Harper said both North Carolina and Duke came into their respective games against the Terps with a chip on their shoulders.
“I think the revenge factor is so huge playing against Duke and North Carolina,” Harper said. “They came ready to play, and they were focused. In order to beat teams like these, we have to come even more prepared.”
MARYLAND NOTES
» Shay Doron scored a team-high 19 points for Maryland. She is currently second on the Terps? all-time scoring list with 1,760 points.
» Ivory Latta scored 32 points while connecting on six of 10 three-point shots for North Carolina. Tar Heel Erlana Larkins had 20 points and 13 rebounds in the win.
» Maryland next plays at Georgia Tech (13-8, 4-3) Thursday at 7 p.m. The Terps host Boston College (11-10, 1-6) at 4 p.m. Sunday.
