Terrapins do some early tinkering

The Maryland women easily dismantled an overwhelmed North Carolina Central squad on Saturday night at Comcast Center, prevailing 88-39 in a game that was decided well before halftime. But nearly every minute was critical for Coach Brenda Frese, who began her eighth season at the helm.

By mixing and matching the lineup of her young team, Frese was able to get a better grasp of the dynamics that will determine how much of a rebuilding season the 2009-10 campaign turns out to be.

"As a coaching staff, we're constantly talking through different lineups," Frese said. "Who plays well together? Who's our best zone team? Our best pressing team? Our best on the offensive end? We're still working through it, and we're still working through rotations and matchups as we get ready to play other teams."

The Terrapins' roster, which contains nine freshmen and sophomores, is not completely bereft of building blocks. Center Lynetta Kizer won ACC rookie of the year honors last season and appears set to shoulder a heavier burden during her sophomore campaign. She tallied 23 points and eight rebounds against the Lady Eagles.

"With young post players like we have, including myself, they're going to need somebody to build their confidence," Kizer said. "I think if I'm composed with the ball, Tianna will be composed with the ball. And then our guards are just giving us confidence by giving us the ball."

Senior guard Lori Bjork handed out a game-high six assists in her first game as a Terrapin. She sat out last season, per NCAA rules, after transferring from Illinois. Though she was by far the oldest, Bjork was one of six players who played their first game as Terrapins against North Carolina Central. Freshmen forwards Diandra Tchatchouang and Tianna Hawkins scored 11 and 15 points, respectively.

"I was excited and filled with energy," Hawkins said before briefly pausing. "And kind of nervous at the same time."

Despite the sizable victory, Maryland's inexperience -- the trait Frese and her squad most will have to combat this season -- revealed itself at times. With just more than 13 minutes remaining, Hawkins threw an in-bound pass straight to N.C. Central guard Danielle DeBerry, who then moved in for a layup.

But as much as the Terrapins' youth might serve as a hindrance to the standard of success Frese has established during her tenure, their raw skill will provide hope for a promising future. Hawkins stepped toward the oncoming DeBerry and blocked her layup attempt.

Such was the give-and-take Frese had to -- and likely will continue to have to -- bear through. A turnover followed by a blocked shot. A poor team three-point shooting percentage (23.5 percent) evened out by a defense that at one point forced eight turnovers on eight straight possessions.

"It's invigorating," Frese said. "We're just constantly trying to put this team in positions to be successful. Obviously, the competition level is going to continue to increase so each step of the way you get to see how these players are going to handle adversity and different set of pressure. I thought for their first real live test coming out, I'm excited to be able to build on this."

-- GEORGETOWN 79, MISSOURI STATE 55: Ta'Shauna "Sugar" Rodgers scored 21 points in her Hoyas debut as visiting Georgetown cruised in its season opener.

The Hoyas' stifling pressure and full-court press were too much for the Lady Bears (0-1) as Georgetown forced 25 turnovers. The win marks the second year in a row the Hoyas have won their season opener.

"I felt our ladies came out and played well," Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said. "We got off to a slow start but when we became more aggressive on defense we got going. Our defense is what sparks our offense."

Missouri State jumped out to an early lead with a pair of three-pointers, but a 7-0 run over four minutes allowed the Hoyas to take the lead at the 12-minute mark. Sophomore Adria Crawford scored six straight points, two off of offensive rebounds.

Rubylee Wright added 13 points for Georgetown, while Jaleesa Butler and Monica McNutt finished with 10 each.

-- NAVY 68, ELON 61: The Midshipmen rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to pull away for the road win.

Navy, which trailed 42-26 at the break, got 18 points from Jasmine Pitts and 14 from K.C. Gordon to improve to 2-0 on the season. Pitts, Gordon and Kristen Bowen (13 points) each hit a pair of three-pointers as Navy shot 24 percent from beyond the arc.