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Women of Maryland take WNIT trophy
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Maryland's Marissa Coleman pulls down a rebound against LSU's Rashonta Leblanc during the second half Sunday in College Park. Maryland won 75-62.
College Park (Map, News) - By David Duberstein
Examiner Staff Writer
Behind strong performances from junior point guard Kristi Tolliver and senior forward Jade Perry, the third-ranked Maryland women's basketball team defeated fourth-ranked Louisiana State University Sunday, 75-62, to win the Championship of the Preseason WNIT at the Comcast Center in College Park.
The Terrapins (5-0) beat their third ranked team in a week, which is exactly the way Coach Brenda Frese envisioned the start to the season.
“I love where our team is at and where our focus is at,” Frese said. “I love that in these first five games that we've played teams that are going to help makes us better. I don't care about being No. 1 right now, it's all about being one at the end.”
Maryland had four players score in double figures, including Tolliver, who lead the Terrapins with 23 points and seven assists. Perry, starting in place of injured senior forward Crystal Langhorne (ankle), had 11 rebounds, and a season-high 14 points, her third double-double of the season.
“I don't really see Jade as filling in (for Langhorne). She's coming in and holding her own,” Frese said. “She's the strongest post player in the country: I don't care what anyone says.”
Perry and Tolliver were named to the All-Tournament team and received a roaring ovation when their honors were announced after the game. Tolliver, who averaged 18.3 points and 8.8 assists, was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
“The Wizards have 'Agent Zero,' we have 'Two-Zero,'” Frese said referring to Tolliver. “You can see what makes her so special.”
Maryland senior forward Laura Harper, who spent much of the first half on the bench due to foul trouble, scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half, and added 8 rebounds and 3 steals.
LSU senior center Sylvia Fowles, who was also named to the All-Tournament team, had 24 points and 13 rebounds. But LSU coach Van Chancellor felt the Tigers should have gotten her the ball more often.
“If you shoot the ball constantly after one pass…you can't get the ball to Sylvia,” he said. “That's poor coaching right there.”
With the game tied 40-40 with 16:20 remaining, Maryland went on a 14-1 run to put the game away.
“The way that we're stepping up our play, it's not about one individual player,” Frese said, “it's about collectively as a team.”
dduberstein@baltimoreexaminer.com
