Tennessee Too Much for Maryland

When facing No. 1-ranked Tennessee, she who hesitates is lost.

Maryland found that out Friday night as Tennessee’s experience and defense carred it to a 77-65 victory in the semifinals of the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. women’s basketball tournament.

“I wish we could have given them a little better game,” Maryland Coach Chris Weller said. “They are just flat-out a much better team than we are at this point. Their defense was unrelenting throughout the game.”

Tennessee (34-2) will play Auburn for the championship Sunday in the Tacoma Dome.

Oddly enough, it was the Terrapins (29-3) who inspired a big run by the Volunteers in the second half, from which Maryland never recovered.

Carla Holmes hit a three-pointer for Maryland to give the Terrapins their only lead of the half, 42-41, at 12:55. That seemed to be the challenge the Volunteers needed. Tennessee reeled off 12 straight points and that, the Volunteers seemed to say, was that.

“Tennessee is a smart team,” Weller said. “If you get a little run on them, they are going to be patient and come back.”

Tennessee, which prides itself in this area, outrebounded Maryland, 43-36.

“I think it was the most important statistic,” said Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt. “In the second half, it was all Tennessee.”

As usual, Tennessee’s big front line was most impressive. Center Shelia Frost scored 25 points and Bridgette Gordon contributed 24.

“I thought Sheila Frost had one of, if not the best, games of her career,” Summitt said. “She told me on the way over here, ‘I’m going to play well tonight.’ It made a difference.”

The first half was tight until Tennessee, trailing at 15-14, scored eight straight points, four by Gordon and four by Frost.

“That’s what this team has been able to do this year,” Summitt said. “Put together strong runs.”