LOS ANGELES -- Maryland caught a glimpse of its past in the
present UCLA team. Then the Terrapins made sure the young Bruins
didn't get too proud, too soon.
Kristi Toliver hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points, and No.
3 Maryland overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to beat UCLA
79-75 on Sunday.
"We played great down the stretch," Toliver said. "We showed
a lot of composure."
Marissa Coleman had 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for
Maryland (8-0), which needed a 14-0 run to retake a lead it held
the entire first half and hold off UCLA, which started three
freshman and a sophomore.
It was the closest result so far for the Terrapins, who have
already defeated three ranked opponents by double figures.
"They reminded me of us two years ago," Maryland senior
Crystal Langhorne said. "Their freshmen played as hard as they
could."
Maryland won the national title two years ago. UCLA senior
Lindsey Pluimer was proud of the way UCLA pushed Maryland to its
limits.
"Its hard losing this game because we fought out there but we
have to learn from it," said Pluimer, who led UCLA with 17 points
and had four rebounds and three steals but made just six of 15
shots.
UCLA coach Kathy Olivier thought her team's defensive intensity
lulled down the stretch, allowing Maryland to storm back. She also
felt her team didn't take full advantage of its lead, taking some
poor shots and not putting together strong possessions.
"Down the stretch, their experience showed in a big, big way,"
Olivier said. "We needed to take good shots, not quick shots and
use the clock. We had some good looks but they didn't go in for
us."
UCLA made just one of 11 field goals during the final seven
minutes of the game. The cold streak helped Maryland overcome 25
turnovers.
Led by Toliver, Maryland made nine 3-pointers and shot nearly 53
percent from the field. Maryland outrebounded UCLA 42-33, but the
Bruins (3-1) scored more points in the paint and had more
second-chance points.
Laura Harper had 12 points and nine rebounds while Crystal
Langhorne had 12 points but also seven turnovers for Maryland.
Marah Strickland finished with nine points and nine rebounds.
Maryland didn't commit any of its turnovers during the final
four minutes of the game.
"It shows the character of this team," Coleman said. "We
worked hard and close games like this will test us in the long
run."
Doreena Campbell added 15 points for UCLA while center Regina
Rogers added 10 points.
"We saw what can happen if you let up on defense," Campbell
said.
UCLA rallied from a 35-28 halftime deficit and took its first
lead, 48-46, on Pluimer's layup with 13:31 left.
"Their guards are extremely physical," Toliver said. "They
played great pressure defense and really pressured the ball. It was
just a matter of overcoming that to get the ball in the basket."
Maryland coach Brenda Frese was not in attendance. Frese is
pregnant with twins and, based on medical advice, didn't take the
trip to California for Maryland's non-conference games at UC Santa
Barbara and UCLA.