Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Spokane, WA–
Just one season ago, the Maryland Terps women would have seen this Duke team twice in a season, but with the move to the Big Ten, this was the first time they faced their former ACC rival, and it was another good one for the Terps as they knocked off the Blue Devils to advance to a match-up Monday against Tennessee.
“I don’t know what it is, but I think we just love being able to beat Duke in the NCAA tournament,” Maryland’s head coach Brenda Frese said.
The biggest note of the night for the Terps was their main weapon, Lexie Brown, was all but shut out of tonight’s game with just one point coming from the line late in second half. In some games, this would have spelled disaster, but since the Terps haven’t lost a game since December, her teammates were able to pick up the slack and push on to the next round.
Brionna Jones added 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Terrapins held a decided 33-24 rebounding edge despite Duke’s size advantage inside. Maryland’s goal was to allow fewer than 10 offensive rebounds to the Blue Devils. They gave up six and Duke had only six second-chance points.
Duke trailed by 10 in the opening moments of the second half before going on a 16-7 scoring spurt, hitting six straight shots.s Duke cut into Maryland’s lead and had the game within reach 42-41 with 12:55 remaining. From this point, the Terps continued to run the ball and make Duke make some critical mistakes and turnovers.
That’s would be the closest Duke would get. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough led a run for the Terps that pushed the lead back to nine with 10 minutes left.
This marks Maryland’s 23rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 11th in Frese’s 13 seasons. The Terrapins are 40-21 (.656) all-time in the NCAA Tournament and 28-9 (.757) under Frese. She has led the Terrapins to seven Sweet Sixteens, six Elite Eights, two Final Fours and the 2006 NCAA title.
