The Terps turned to the second round of the NCAA Tournament Monday evening with an electric win over the No.5 Alabama Crimson Tide, 111-108.
Head coach Brenda Frese said, “just so proud of this group. You know that it’s going to be a heavyweight fight, both teams. You saw the competitive spirit, the mindset to want to go to the next round. I thought we came out with a great mindset.”
After Maryland's win Saturday against Norfolk State, 82-69, Frese stressed that her team would have to work out some of the struggles that the Terps faced, especially when it came to turnovers, if they wanted to see a victory against Alabama.
Maryland came off the tip strong as guard Shyanne Sellers drilled the first points of the game off a 3-pointer after a missed layup by the Terps set up the perfect sequence. The Crimson Tide responded swiftly with a 6-0 run before being stopped by guard Sarah Te-Biasu’s 3-pointer.
The Terps looked like a completely different team in the first quarter compared to Saturday's matchup. The energy in the Xfinity Center was just different as Sellers made sure to keep that energy rolling as she raises her arms, swinging them in an up and down motion to keep that home court energy going.
As Alabama closed out the first quarter, Maryland remained on top, 19-15.
With the Terps bringing their energy so did Frese. After a steal by guard Kaylene Smikle to give the Terps a 10-point lead three minutes into the second quarter, Frese came out onto the court giving Smikle a high-five and hyping her Terps up as they entered a timeout.
But Maryland soon found its 10-point lead dwindling down after facing a drought as Alabama went on a 10-0 run. As the game of back-and-forth continued between the two teams and the second quarter came to a close, Alabama was able to finish strong and gain the lead, 41-39, entering the half.
Te-Biasu said that it was entering the third and fourth quarter that the Terps were being reminded to not give up, to keep fighting and play for each other.
The third quarter looked promising after a layup from Smikle but after unsuccessful sequences by the Terps, the Crimson Tide took advantage and sought out a 7-0 run before Frese gathered her Terps for a timeout. But as soon as Maryland adds four more points to the board Alabama continues to dominate on both sides of the ball and go for a 14-0 run.
Te-Biasu closed in on Alabama's leads after a successful 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter. Down nine points, 64-55, the Terps had one last quarter for redemption.
As the fourth quarter went underway, it played out as expected as the game of back and forth continued and the Xfinity Center roared. With six minutes left in the quarter the Terps cut their deficit, 73-67.
Frese could be seen hyping up the home crowd herself as she paced alongside the court waving her hands bringing the crowd to their feet.
With every timeout, Frese said, “you just continue to try and instill as much energy and positivity, confidence, you know, went in there the first overtime is our time. And, you know, I just knew they were tired, but just really needing to dig in even further.”
With a minute left in the game the Xfinity Center erupts as the game is all tied up, 80-80. A 3-pointer from Alabama was answered by the Terps after a pass from Smikle, Te-Biasu to drill in a 3-pointer. With the Crimson Tide with the ball and 12 seconds left on the clock all that was needed was one basketball but a failed jumper by Alabama the two teams were tied 83-83.
Kubek opened overtime with a layup but it seemed as if everything was immediately countered by Alabama. As time expired on the game clock, the Terps were all tied up, 96-96, at the end of the first overtime.
With the second overtime opening up, Te-Biasu found herself a 3-pointer followed by two points off Sellers. With under 30 seconds remaining in the second overtime, the Terps only had a slight 2-point lead over the Crimson Tide, 108-106. As the anticipation filled the Xfinity Center, emotions became heightened from both sides of the bench.
Te-Biasu sealed the deal with a steal as the buzzer hit zero, sending Terps fans celebrating, knowing Maryland would see a Sweet Sixteen game.
Frese praised the crowd. “Just can’t say enough about our crowd. This is why you try to earn that, that right to host and have that energy, because we absolutely needed it.”
Maryland shot 83.9% from the free throw line and 42.3% from the 3-point line. Sellers had 28 points on the night, 26 from Te-Biasu, 24 from Smikle, and 19 from Kubek.
The series between the two teams is tied 1-1. The last meeting between the two teams was in March of 2021, where the No.2 seeded Terps downed the No.7 seeded Crimson Tide, 100-64, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in San Antonio.
With a win against the Crimson Tide, the Terps will face No.1 seed South Carolina. The game will take place on Friday, March 28, and will be streamed on ESPN. The time is to be determined.
By: Brinkley Smith
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