Louisville, KY—
In what might have been the biggest match-up of the season for the Lady Terps against Tennessee, they certainly didn’t play like it was any different than any other ACC Opponent that they have seen this season.
Perhaps it was the pre-game speech by Terps Head Coach Brenda Frese that made the difference, but whatever it was, everyone certainly knew what she was talking about at the end of the game, as the Terps moved one step closer to the Final Four in Nashville by dismantling the Vols, 73-62.
The Lady Vols’ self-titled “GrindFor9” in their chase for a ninth national championship was ended very abruptly. They will miss the Final Four for a sixth straight season. This hurts even more with the national championship game being played April 8 in Nashville just 179 miles from their home in Knoxville.
The Terps were led by another amazing effort by Senior Alyssa Thomas and a career high 33 points and 13 rebounds.
Thomas scored the most points allowed to a single player by Tennessee this season, and she also extended her school record with her 65th career double-double. Lexie Brown added 14 points, Laurin Mincy had 11 and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough 10.
Tennessee Head Coach Holly Warlick said Thomas hurt them the most with Tennessee unable to find a way to stop her.
“Maybe people will start talking about Maryland and what Maryland’s accomplished,” Frese said. “We have a story too. We have tradition. I’m so proud of how these kids fought.”