Notebook: Juniors take on leadership roles for women's basketball

In November, much was made of the Terrapin women's basketball team lacking a single senior on its roster. Concerns about maturity and experience swirled as the Terps entered the season.

But so far, three of the team's juniors — center Lynetta Kizer and guards Kim Rodgers and Anjale Barrett — have proven more than capable in leadership roles for coach Brenda Frese.

Kizer and Rodgers, in particular, have carried the No. 12 Terps of late. Kizer earned ACC Player of the Week honors Monday after averaging 20.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in two games against Georgia Tech and NC State, and her 18 second-half points against the Wolfpack on Sunday fueled a second-half charge that transformed a halftime deficit into a resounding Terp victory.

Rodgers, meanwhile, has consistently delivered off the bench for the Terps. After struggling through much of the team's Feb. 3 game at Georgia Tech, she broke a late tie with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give the Terps their most impressive road win to date.

She continued her timely play Sunday, when her three 3-pointers — one in the first half and two in the second — helped spark the Terps' turnaround after they had trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half.

"Kim's 3s are always so timely. She loves the pressure," Frese said after Sunday's game. "You've seen, time and time in Kim's career, her stepping up and making plays for this program."

THOMAS DAY-TO-DAY

Sunday's rout wasn't without its scary moments. Midway through the first half, talented freshman Alyssa Thomas went to the floor hard after missing a layup. Landing awkwardly, she sprawled on the floor clutching her lower back.

Thomas stayed on the floor for a short time before limping back to the Terps' bench. A short stint later in the game ultimately proved futile, and after a two-minute stretch of action, the injury proved too much for her to handle.

"She's someone that's active on the glass," Frese said. "I credit her at halftime … [in] having to make an honest assessment and understand that she couldn't give 100 percent."

Thomas, who first sustained the injury against Georgia Tech on Feb. 3, did not play in the second half against the Wolfpack and is still listed as day-to-day. Her status for Thursday's game at No. 20 Miami remains uncertain.

"We're not practicing her this week," Frese said yesterday. "She's going be day-to-day up until shootaround on Thursday, but she's feeling better."

TRYING STRETCH

When the Terps leave College Park this afternoon for Coral Gables, Fla., they will be embarking on the most trying stretch of their regular-season schedule.

After the matchup with Miami, the team will return to Comcast Center to host Virginia, whom the Terps topped in overtime Jan. 21. The Terps get another crack against No. 5 Duke on Feb. 17 before traveling to Tallahassee, Fla., to face No. 19 Florida State on Feb. 20.

"This team understands, every game we have in February, what it takes," Frese said. "Another great team in Miami that we're excited to play."

WHERE'S YEMI?

Center Yemi Oyefuwa, who started five games for the Terps last season, has been suspended indefinitely, Frese said yesterday.

Oyefuwa has not played since a Dec. 28 win over La Salle, and Frese declined to comment on the specifics of the junior's suspension.

In seven appearances this season, Oyefuwa averaged 1.3 points and 0.6 rebounds per game.

cwalsh@umdbk.com