Hey folks, women’s basketball beat reporter Aaron Kraut here, back in College Park.
It turns out the roughly two hour drive home was useful, as it gave me some time to try and figure out just how the No. 8 Terps lost this game tonight.
What’s perplexing wasn’t just that they were in control of the game (the Terps led 49-40 with 15:35 remaining) or how they gained control.
Point guard Kristi Toliver, the team’s leading scorer and best shot maker sat out the final 13 minutes of the first half because of two fouls, but the Terps smartly built an eight point halftime lead. Usually, it’s a pretty good indicator for your team when you can do that without your best pure offensive player.
It was also hard to grasp just how fast the bottom fell out.
From the 15:35 mark to when there was about 7:40 left, the Terps were outscored 27-8. The offense, patient and productive in the first half, became forced and erratic.
Turnovers after missed shots after turnovers were converted into Cavalier fast break points, and the rest was history.
No. 19 Virginia scored an astounding 58 points in the second half, some of which came as a result of the Terps’ giving away fouls in the late minutes, but still a lot.
In fact, now that I think about it, I still haven’t figured this one out. I’m not alone- neither could coach Brenda Frese.
Check back tomorrow for some of her comments and further analysis.
akrautdbk@gmail.com