No. 3 Terps Bump Off No. 4 LSU, Win WNIT

With a wing span that rivals an airplane's and an uncanny elusiveness around the basket, LSU all-American center Sylvia Fowles is a handful for opposing centers who either can't match her quickness or her height.

That's not the case for Maryland center Jade Perry, who gives up five inches to Fowles but not much else. Perry used her bulk to negate Fowles's length and was a big reason No. 3 Maryland didn't need its all-American to beat No. 4 LSU, 75-62, in the Women's National Invitation Tournament championship game yesterday at Comcast Center.

Perry, who started in place of injured all-American Crystal Langhorne, earned all-tournament recognition as much for her defense on Fowles as for her 14 points and 11 rebounds, her third double-double this season and ninth of her career.

"Jade has made tremendous strides," Maryland Coach Brenda Frese said. "You see the strength and the power that she displays, the confidence that she's playing this game with. . . . She's the strongest post player in the country. I don't care what anyone says."

While others contributed to Maryland's defense against Fowles -- most notably Laura Harper and Drey Mingo -- it was Perry who did yeoman's work. She made Fowles work for every point she scored, then wore her down on the offensive end. Fowles finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

"I think I did a poor job of finishing around the basket," Fowles said. "They did make it kind of tough getting a good post seal in the box."

Perry has grown accustomed to taking on all-American centers. This season alone, she held her own against Oklahoma's Courtney Paris, who matches Perry in bulk. Fowles, who has been called "the single most dominant big woman that I have seen come into college" by Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma, presented a huge challenge for Perry, but one she was ready for.

"She's so aggressive," Perry said. "I was scared I'd get in foul trouble. She's a very strong young lady."

Perry's play wasn't what impressed new LSU coach Van Chancellor the most, however. He came away marveling at the abilities of point guard Kristi Toliver, whom he compared with WNBA star Diana Taurasi.

"I thought I was in a WNBA game for a while the way she just kept pulling up and making shots," he said. "She's really good."

Frese was equally effusive praising Toliver, who scored 23 points and had nine assists to earn all-tournament honors.

"The Wizards, they have Agent Zero. We have Two-Zero," said Frese, referring to Toliver's No. 20. "You can see what makes her so special."