2008 Woodie Awards
Terps escape from Coppin State
Greg Schimmel
Issue date: 3/24/08 Section: Sports
"We weren't pleased with how many open looks they were getting," Frese said.
The Eagles kept pace early in the second half, before constant fouls and cold shooting began to catch up with them and the Terps slowly pulled away.
The Terps were able to get the ball inside with more consistency in the second half and did a better job defending Oakley, who was limited to three points after the break.
When Coleman rejected Oakley's layup attempt - with arguably the most ferocious block of the season - with less than eight minutes remaining, the Terps erupted, mobbing Coleman and finally showing the swagger of a top seed.
It was the Terps only block of the game and one of their first signs of life all afternoon.
"I don't think we were ever worried about being in danger," Coleman said. "We're going to get our opponent's best game. It doesn't matter who we're playing; it's the NCAA tournament."
The Terps were able to clear the bench at the end of the game, and the starters could smile on the sideline as time ran out, but the 14-point win was not the statement the Terps were hoping to make in the first round.
ACC Player of the Year Crystal Langhorne led the Terps with 25 points and 12 rebounds, and junior guard Kristi Toliver finished with 13 points, seven assists and seven rebounds despite dealing with a stomach illness.
The Terps will play No. 8-seed Nebraska on Tuesday in the second round, knowing they will need a more complete effort to move on.
"It's the start of a new season," Toliver said. "It's one and done and everybody knows that."
schimmeldbk@gmail.com
The Eagles kept pace early in the second half, before constant fouls and cold shooting began to catch up with them and the Terps slowly pulled away.
The Terps were able to get the ball inside with more consistency in the second half and did a better job defending Oakley, who was limited to three points after the break.
When Coleman rejected Oakley's layup attempt - with arguably the most ferocious block of the season - with less than eight minutes remaining, the Terps erupted, mobbing Coleman and finally showing the swagger of a top seed.
It was the Terps only block of the game and one of their first signs of life all afternoon.
"I don't think we were ever worried about being in danger," Coleman said. "We're going to get our opponent's best game. It doesn't matter who we're playing; it's the NCAA tournament."
The Terps were able to clear the bench at the end of the game, and the starters could smile on the sideline as time ran out, but the 14-point win was not the statement the Terps were hoping to make in the first round.
ACC Player of the Year Crystal Langhorne led the Terps with 25 points and 12 rebounds, and junior guard Kristi Toliver finished with 13 points, seven assists and seven rebounds despite dealing with a stomach illness.
The Terps will play No. 8-seed Nebraska on Tuesday in the second round, knowing they will need a more complete effort to move on.
"It's the start of a new season," Toliver said. "It's one and done and everybody knows that."
schimmeldbk@gmail.com
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