Despite foul habit, women’s basketball's Hawkins starring so far

For much of the Terrapins women's basketball team's first nine games, Tianna Hawkins has been an absolute force. A tenacious rebounder and a gifted post player, the junior forward seems to be everywhere at once, her braided hair flying in every direction as she streaks up and down the court.

On the court for 213 of the 360 minutes the No. 5 Terps have played this season, Hawkins has routinely stuffed the stat sheet. It's those remaining 147 minutes, however, that are cause for concern.

Hawkins has spent much of her time on the bench saddled with foul trouble, something that has plagued her throughout the season. With 23 fouls, the second-highest number on the team, Hawkins has been whistled for three or more fouls in five of the team's nine games, fouling out twice.

Foul trouble led to one of her worst games of the season Sunday at American, when she totaled just six points and four rebounds while playing less than half of the game.

"I think it is [an issue at times] because I can't really help my team if I get two fouls in the first half," Hawkins said. "I have to stay aggressive, but I also have to play smart."

When she avoids the referees' whistle, Hawkins has been nearly unstoppable. In the six games during which she was called for three fouls or fewer, the forward averaged better than 14 points and 11 rebounds per contest, leading the Terps in rebounding four times.

But Hawkins' most glaring weakness was evident in the Terps' other three games. Though she did manage a season-best 19 points and 18 rebounds before fouling out in a road win against UMBC, Hawkins was a non-factor in her two other foul-happy contests.

In games against Towson and American, Hawkins totaled just eight points and five rebounds while committing nine fouls, averaging less than 14 minutes per game in those contests. The Terps won both games handily — having centers Lynetta Kizer and Alicia DeVaughn and forward Whitney Bays available certainly helped — but her being on the bench affected the team's play.

"It changes because we don't have our regular flow," Hawkins said. "We have four good post players, but it's not complete if one of us is on the bench."

Coach Brenda Frese doesn't blame the foul trouble entirely on Hawkins, however. With nothing but out-of-conference games to start the season, Frese said referees have been quick with their whistles in what have normally been blowout victories for the Terps.

"It's going to be to her benefit when we get out of nonconference play," Frese said. "In conference, they let a lot more go than they do in nonconference, so the physicality will take care of itself. … The fouls they're calling now aren't going to be called in conference play."

Said DeVaughn: "The refs are sometimes out to get us."

Changing her style of play isn't an option for Hawkins, nor is it something her coach would like to see. But with a tough ACC slate beginning in less than a month, the forward's ability to stay on the court will be paramount.

"It's more of being aggressive in the right amount than over-aggressive," Hawkins said. "If I play too aggressive, I get too physical. If I focus on [not doing that], I'll be able to help out my team more."

vitale@umdbk.com