Terrapins Get Defensive in the First Half, Easily Defeat UCLA

Maryland Coach Brenda Frese didn't have to wait long to see if her 11th-ranked team was going to play with the energy and aggression that she asked for in its game against visiting UCLA yesterday afternoon. Less than 20 seconds in, freshman center Lynetta Kizer ripped the ball out of the hands of Bruins senior Chinyere Ibekwe, cleared out some space with her elbows and threw an outlet pass. Moments after that, Kizer swatted away a shot by Ibekwe.

That kind of defensive intensity was the hallmark of the Terrapins' 88-65 victory over the Bruins in front of 7,469 at Comcast Center. Maryland held UCLA to 18.2 percent shooting (6 of 33) and forced 17 turnovers in the first half as it built a 19-point advantage at the break.

"I thought we came out really aggressive for the entire [first] half," said Frese, whose team does not play at home again until Dec. 29, when it hosts UNC Asheville as part of the Terrapin Classic. "When we can hold a great team like UCLA to 18 percent [shooting], that's the exciting thing, that we can do that. Our best games are ahead of us."

Frese said she was hoping yesterday's game would help the Terrapins "get our confidence back," and help them understand that they're going to make mistakes but that they need to stay poised. Maryland opened the season ranked third in the nation but lost its season opener at Texas Christian on Nov. 14. The Terrapins (3-1) have won their past three games by an average of 21.3 points, but they're still figuring out how to blend their veteran core with a group of newcomers.

Maryland seniors Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman combined for 47 points on 16-of-30 shooting against UCLA (2-1). Kizer added 10 points, and junior college transfer Demauria Liles, who was benched for the start of the game for violating team rules, scored 13 points. As a team, the Terrapins shot 51.7 percent despite missing their first five shots. They also committed 22 turnovers.

"I don't know if confidence is the right word, but confidence within each other, because we haven't played with each other," Frese said. "To have so many different, new players . . . it's a lot of trying to work out with each other, and figuring what everyone does well."

The Terrapins showed yesterday that they're capable of playing tremendous team defense. They jumped into passing lanes, dived after loose balls and generally made it difficult for the Bruins to get an open look at the basket. UCLA didn't record its first field goal (a layup by Moniquee Alexander) until 12 minutes 24 seconds remained in the first half.

"I think we've finally played four games, and we're starting to get into a rhythm of things," said Toliver, who surpassed 1,500 points and 600 assists in her career. "Early on, with a whole new team, we just had to build that chemistry. I think now we're really building it. Good things are starting to happen."

Sophomore guard Doreena Campbell, a two-time All-Met at Edison High School, was the lone bright spot offensively for UCLA, scoring 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Her teammates shot a combined 30.8 percent.

· KENTUCKY 67, GEORGE WASHINGTON 48: Four players scored in double figures for the host Wildcats, led by Amani Franklin with a season-high 16 points.

The Colonials committed 18 turnovers, shot just 28.6 percent and were outrebounded, 50-30. Antelia Parrish led George Washington (2-2) with 13 points and five rebounds.