The Terps passed another decent non-conference test when they outlasted previously unbeaten Mississippi State 80-73 today in the final of the Terrapin Classic at the Comcast Center.
The Terps jumped out to a 43-28 halftime lead thanks to a terrific 13 point, 5 assist performance from point guard Kristi Toliver, who finished the game with 24 and 8. Forward Dee Liles, who has been the team’s most consistent performer, had another terrific all-around game with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Despite minimal contributions from forward Marissa Coleman and center Lynetta Kizer and a hot-shooting Mississippi State team in the second half, the Terps managed to hold on for their eleventh win. The Bulldogs (11-1) got as close as five points, but a rare 3-pointer from Terp forward Drey Mingo with a little over four minutes remaining got the Terps started again.
Mingo had her best performance of the season, contributing a needed nine points with Kizer saddled in foul trouble and Coleman on the bench virtually the entire second half. Frese said she wasn’t happy with Coleman’s effort.
“It was just a great win against a talented SEC team,” coach Brenda Frese. “The way we’re playing, the unselfishness that we’re playing with, looking for each other against a very very athletic team. These are the kind of teams we’re gonna be playing in the ACC.”
“I definitely think I was ready to play from not playing yesterday,” Toliver said, referring to her benching in Monday’s win against UNC-Asheville because of a violation of team rules. “I definitely had a sense of urgency from the beginning, and I knew that this Mississippi State team was a really good team from a really good conference.”
Next up- at Richmond on Saturday.
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