Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
College Park, MD–
It is very apparent that after today’s game against Holy Cross, Terps Head Coach Brenda Frese plans on making a statement in the NCAA tournament.
The start to finish dominance in the 93-61 victory is very similar to some of the previous runs that have taken her deep into the tournament and if they continue to show what they did today, the Terps are sure to make a run to the Final Four in Dallas.
Holy Cross came into the game having gone (24-8) on the season and winning the Patriot League to get the automatic qualifier for the NCAA tourney. However, it would have appeared that Maureen Magarity and her squad have never seen a team like the Terps the entire season as the mistakes mounted early and often.
“Obviously it was a tough beginning of the game,” Holy Cross coach Maureen Magarity said. “Maryland just did a great job with their pressure, which we had been preparing for, but it’s hard to prepare and simulate what they do.”
The Terps started strong with a 12-0 lead more than halfway through the first quarter. The Terps’ defense forced 17 Crusader turnovers in the first half. It took the Crusaders almost 10 minutes to even get unstuck from 4 points on the scoreboard.
Senior guard Abby Meyers had 10 points to lead the Terps just in the first three minutes of the second quarter. The Terps were shooting 55% from the floor.
“We just had an all-around effort today, said Frese. “Everyone understands their role come this time of the season and we are going to rely on players like Abby and Faith to give us that veteran leadership deep in the games.”
The Terps are hoping to return to the Sweet 16 for the third-straight season, but they have higher hopes for this NCAA Tournament. This team is hoping to reach the Final Four for the first time in eight seasons. It will have a tough road ahead because the Terps are in the same region as the No. 1 team in the country, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
One thing that Frese is not looking forward to is playing a team that she played for back in the 90’s the Arizona Wildcats. She made a couple of comments about the having to face a team that is personal to her.
“We’re talking about doing a reunion in the offseason, so I’m going to have to see who they’re rooting for in this game,” Frese said. “College are the best years of your life, so I’m really close to my college teammates that I was able to play with out in Arizona.”
