Finally, a chance at payback for women's basketball

Two hundred and thirty-four days have passed since the Terrapins women's basketball team suffered a season-ending defeat against Georgetown in last year's NCAA Tournament.

The memories of that 79-57 shocker have endured through all of them.

"That's our last image of our last real game," guard Anjale Barrett said. "We didn't finish the way we wanted to."

The Terps won't have to wait long for a chance at revenge against their nearby nemesis, however. After opening their regular season against Loyola tonight at Comcast Center, the No. 11 Terps host No. 10 Georgetown in a pivotal nonconference matchup Sunday.

And after losing twice to the rival Hoyas last season — first in a 53-45 defeat in another early-season contest and then in their 22-point blowout in the second round of the NCAA Tournament — the Terps' Sunday contest will likely be a heated one.

It just might not be the one most expected only weeks ago. Suspended center Lynetta Kizer sat out the team's two preseason games, and coach Brenda Frese has not offered a timetable for her return. The senior played well for the Terps in both of their matchups against Georgetown last season, totaling 21 points and 26 rebounds in two games.

But regardless of who is or isn't on the floor for the Terps, Frese said her team is as prepared as it can be for a critical early-season matchup with the Hoyas.

"It's going to give some team confidence, whoever comes out of that game [the winner]," Frese said. "It's really a matter of what you take out of that game, win or lose, in terms of positioning yourself for later down the road."

But before they get another crack at beating the Hoyas, the Terps will have Loyola to deal with. The Greyhounds have historically been a doormat for the Terps, losing each of their past 10 contests dating back to 1998, including a 19-point loss on their home court last season.

Still, the Terps refuse to overlook Loyola, even as just about everyone else readies for Sunday.

"They're not looking ahead to anyone," Frese said. "If you can't get yourself pumped up for the first game of the season — I know that won't happen to this team. They're excited to play, they're anxious to play against new competition, so we wouldn't be looking over anyone. We count every game the same."

"Last year Loyola gave us a battle," Barrett said. "I know they're going to come in here and give us their best game."

After not being challenged in either of their exhibitions, the Terps are more eager than ever to start facing competition that matters. And even if the team's primary focus is its game against Loyola tonight, you can expect last year's loss to the Hoyas to be fresh on the Terps' minds until the final buzzer sounds Sunday afternoon — and maybe even after.

"We want to come out with a lot of energy," guard Laurin Mincy said. "It's important for us to start off strong. … We owe them."

vitale@umdbk.com