Women's basketball loses critical game at Boston College

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — The players sat on the bench powerlessly, their all-black uniforms accurately reflecting their grim moods. The Terrapin women's basketball team didn't take notice of the score, instead staring unblinkingly ahead, facing two harsh realities head-on.

For the first time in series history, the Terps had fallen to Boston College, finally losing after 10 straight showings of dominance.

But the bigger picture in Thursday's 83-70 loss might be harder to take.

After six straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the Terps have moved perilously closer to the brink of exclusion from college basketball's biggest stage.

"It's not a fun place to be," said guard Lori Bjork, her eyes reddened with tears. "We put pressure on ourselves because we knew we controlled our destiny if we could go out and win this game."

It was a game they knew they could win. After all, they'd done it before.

For 40 minutes in their 72-65 Jan. 14 victory over the Eagles (15-13, 6-7 ACC), the Terps orchestrated a disappearing act for the Eagles' preseason all-ACC center Carolyn Swords, holding the junior under double digits in scoring for the first time all season.

And for the first 20 minutes yesterday, the Terps again rendered Swords a non-factor. In the second half, however, with time running out on the Eagles' own tournament chances, Swords posted a performance as big as her 6-foot-6 frame.

After a 3-for-7 shooting performance against Swords in the first half, Terps' center Lynetta Kizer missed 10 of her next 12 shots. At times, Kizer's foe down low just became too much.

After one Swords block, Kizer belted out a cry in frustration.

Swords scored 13 of her 15 points in the second half to extend a three-point halftime lead to as many as 12 midway through the second half.

The Terps got within two points in the opening minutes of the second half but couldn't break through. Boston College went on a 14-7 run that put them up nine with about 14 minutes remaining in the second half.

"We had no match for them defensively," coach Brenda Frese said.

When the Terps dared Swords' teammates to lend a hand, they delivered.

Guards Mickel Picco and Brittney Johnson combined for 33 points on 5-for-9 3-point shooting, including several that cut short promising Terp runs in the second half.

"Every time we felt like trying to get some extra help, you'd get burned for three," Bjork said. "It was pick your poison."

Now it may be do or die.

As the Terps trek back to College Park, they'll do so with their backs against the wall and a daunting task ahead. They wrap up the regular season Sunday afternoon against No. 9 Florida State.

"If there's one thing I know from being around college athletics for five years, it's that the sun's going to come up tomorrow," Bjork said. "I've got to get myself together. I think everybody else there is going to get themselves together. We'll see what we can do in practice tomorrow and get ready for the next one."

shaffer@umdbk.com