Terps Take Down Temple 64-46

Not exactly the most efficient game, but a win is a win. After playing 14 games in a month, Maryland will get a much needed 11-day rest. By that time the stomach virus should be completely gone through the Maryland system. Ever since the Rutgers game, the Terps just haven’t looked like themselves, most likely a combination of fatigue and sickness. But they are on a three-game win streak, improving to 13-1 after the 64-46 win over Temple.

Maryland looked like the much quicker and energetic team. Temple had trouble keeping up with Maryland’s driving down the court and kept fouling. Maryland shot decently, but allowed Temple to shoot 17 more times, but thanks to Temple’s very aggressive play, the Terps got 24 points off free throws. Temple held in there for a little while, but poor shooting gave them their fourth loss to ACC teams this season.

For the second time in three games, Kristi Toliver’s play in the second half drove the Terps to victory. She scored 15 points with four assists and only one turnover in the final 20 minutes, eventually ending with a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists. She also got four free throws in a row after a personal foul and technical foul called on Owl head coach Dawn Staley.

Crystal Langhorne also looks like she is back to form. She led during the first half with 10 points and two blocks. She has been the physical presence in the paint that the Terps have needed in the last few games.

Maryland didn’t see much from the bench, as only three players came off to the court. Combined Newman, Perry, and Mingo got six points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Thankfully for Maryland, the starters did enough to win the game, but the lack of scoring from the bench could prove to be a problem against the ACC.

It is final exams time around College Park, and as Coach Frese said after the game: "They have earned a well-deserved break, so we're going to get away from each other. We're going to allow them to be students because I don't think the schedule has been very kind to allow them to be students first."

The Terps are off until December 20th, where they will take on the James Madison Dukes in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m., tune in to wmucsports.com for all the action!