Maryland Women's Basketball: Toliver Stomachs Bug and Shoots Maryland into Boston, 75-65

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Toliver Stomachs Bug and Shoots Maryland into Boston, 75-65

Well, it wouldn't be a Maryland women's game if it wasn't filled with drama and intrigue. We were one bounce from being sent home, because some stupid virus decided to infect the team after the win over Baylor. I don't think we should ever visit New Mexico again. You could tell from the start we were sluggish and Utah's constant doubling of Crystal made the team forget about moving to an open space. We made several attempts to pull away in the first half, but Utah kept kept fighting back. In the second half, Kim Smith decided to try and take over by scoring 16 straight points, but Toliver, who hadn't slept all night, caught fire and single-handily kept the Terps in the game. Once again we were up seven, but we went cold and Utah kept cutting it closer and closer before sending Thornburn to the line for 2. After she missed the first, I knew we weren't losing the game. Overtime sealed the deal, because we all know what happens when we go to overtime. And now it's on to Boston and our third date with North Carolina.

Game Story Box Score Photo Gallery Video Highlights

Positives

Toliver. 28 points with a virus? Unreal. we need to make her sick more often.

Crystal. She was the only healthy post player and did what it took to get 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Harper. Sick as a dog, she gutted out the five overtime minutes and proved to be the X factor. Utah's lucky she didn't play the whole game.

Coleman. She got sick before the game so I will give her a reprieve on the shooting especially when she grabs 11 rebounds and blocks 4 shots.

Turnovers. Only 11 of them for a team that was ill and hadn't practiced. Not bad at all.

Defense. Once again we cranked it up with the game on the line. I wish I could see that style of defense for about 30-40 minutes a game.

Negatives

Free Throw Shooting. We missed several key ones down the stretch and it almost cost us the game. Have to do better from now on.

Shay. The captain needs to step up now and stop thinking so much. She hasn't shot well the last three games and she is too busy trying to draw fouls instead of going hard to the hole. She is also missing free throws.

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