GREENSBORO, N.C.–Diamondback photographer Adam Fried and I finally made it to Greensboro for the ACC women’s basketball tournament. Actually we made it about seven hours ago, but thanks to the Greensboro Coliseum deciding to charge members of the media $89 per day to use its wireless internet access, I had to wait until now, about 11 p.m., to post this back at the hotel.
After taking about an hour this afternoon to gain access into the arena, we got to the floor in time for the last two minutes of top-seeded North Carolina’s 97-77 blowout win against Clemson.
Standing in the walkway as the Tar Heels and Tigers left the court, Adam and I momentarily discussed jumping Erlana Larkins or LaToya Pringle to possibly help the Terps later in the weekend, but ultimately decided against it.
After enjoying an impressive media buffet that included chicken parmesan, lasagna, two different salads and a dessert tray, it was time for the Terps’ quarterfinal matchup against Boston College.
While watching the Terps warm up from my seat on press row near the left corner of the court, I decided I could shoot about 23 percent from where I was sitting.
In the game, the Eagles made things at least slightly interesting toward the end, but the Terps led from start to finish and advanced to the semifinals with a workmanlike 93-81 win.
Senior forward Laura Harper led the Terps with 25 points, while ACC Player of the Year Crystal Langhorne had 24 points. The duo combined to shoot 19-for-21 from the floor.
Coach Brenda Frese was showing shades of her old self, pacing and occasionally stomping on the sideline like old times after spending most of the games during her pregnancy in a large chair on the bench.
The Terps have a strong contingent of fans down here, filling up most of three large sections behind the Terps’ bench. Most of the fans stayed long enough to join Florida State and lingering Tar Heels fans in the tomahawk chop during the nightcap between the Seminoles and Duke.
The Seminoles gave the Blue Devils a major scare, leading for a lot of the game, but the Blue Devils came back in the second half and pulled away late for an 81-67 win, setting up a semifinal matchup with the Terps tomorrow afternoon.