March 24, 2009

Maryland Advances to Sweet 16, Upends Utah 71-56

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - With a victory in hand and their workload completed, Maryland seniors Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver walked off their home court for the last time.

They received a standing ovation from the spirited crowd, and each absorbed a hug from Terrapins' coach Brenda Frese.

Toliver and Coleman wore smiles on the bench as the top-seeded Terrapins closed out a 71-56 win over Utah on Tuesday night to advance to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament.

The Terrapins (30-4) face Vanderbilt (26-8) on Saturday in the semifinals of the Raleigh Regional. Maryland beat the Commodores 80-66 last year in the third round.

In their final home game, Coleman and Toliver put on the type of performance that defined their spectacular careers at Maryland. Coleman had 18 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, and Toliver deftly directed the offense and scored 17.

This game, however, was more than a two-woman show. Forward Demauria Liles had 12 points and 17 rebounds, and Lynetta Kizer and Marah Strickland each scored eight.

Duke Stunned By Michigan State 63-49

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Joanne P. McCallie squatted on the sideline, staring in disbelief as her top-seeded Duke Blue Devils fell apart in an arena where she was once adored.

Mia Johnson scored a season-high 17 points and Lauren Aitch had 15, lifting the ninth-seeded Spartans to a 63-49 win Tuesday night over Duke.

Duke was doomed because it didn't make a shot for the last 7½ minutes as it was outscored 16-2, leading to fans -- including men's basketball players -- rushing the court to celebrate.

Jasmine Thomas had 14 points and Karima Christmas scored 13 for Duke (27-6) while leading scorer Chante Black was held to just four.

Georgia Tech Falls to Oklahoma, 69-50

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Even though Oklahoma's Courtney Paris failed to get a double-double, she still did more than enough to help lead the Sooners get to the round of 16.

Danielle Robinson scored 17 points and had seven assists, Whitney Hand added 15 and the top-seeded Sooners beat Georgia Tech 69-50 Tuesday night to advance to regional semifinals.

Courtney Paris finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and six blocks - missing out on a double-double for just the seventh time in 134 career games - but she had three quick blocks early in the second half to key a 27-11 run by Oklahoma (30-4) that put the game out of reach.

Deja Foster had 15 to lead Georgia Tech (22-10), which shot just 5-of-29 in the second half.

Oklahoma will now face fourth-seeded Pittsburgh in Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Georgia Tech finished the first half on a 21-11 run to tie the game at 29 by halftime. Robinson opened the second half with a impressive steal and layup, but was whistled for a technical foul after celebrating the play.