Nov. 14, 2009

No. 21 Terps Cruise to 88-39 Win in Season Opener

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The 39th season of Maryland women's basketball officially began Saturday night as the 21st-ranked Terrapins cruised to an 88-39 win over North Carolina Central at Comcast Center. Sophomore Lynetta Kizer posted a new career-high with 23 points in the opening win.

Maryland (1-0) opened with a 3-pointer from senior Lori Bjork nine seconds into the game and never looked back. Halfway through the first period, the Terrapins led 24-6. Ten of Kizer's 23 points came in the first half, as did five of her eight boards, which led the Terps to a 41-20 lead at the break.

Midway through the second half, the lead had grown to 32, as Maryland led 63-31, thanks in large part to Kizer's last 13 points. Freshman guard Dara Taylor had three assists in each half and fellow freshman Essence Townsend blocked three shots in the second period and four total. Townsend also led the team in rebounding with nine.

Harvard Stuns Boston College, 82-81

The Boston College women's basketball team suffered an 82-81 loss to Harvard at Lavietes Pavilion. It was the season opener for both teams.

Harvard shot a sizzling 52.8 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the three-point line, while Boston College shot 48 percent but only 28 percent from the arc. The Crimson went 16-for-25 (64%) in the second half.

Harvard's Emma Markley led four Crimson players in double-figures with 23 points. She shot 10-for-18 from the field and scored 18 in the second half. Victoria Lippert added 14 points, Claire Wheeler notched 12 points and Jackie Alemny added 13 points.

Wolfpack Falls to Vermont in Sheraton Raleigh Invite

RALEIGH, N.C. - A sluggish start doomed NC State Saturday evening in the title game of its own Sheraton Raleigh Wolfpack Invitational.

The Wolfpack fell behind by double digits in each half, clawed back to within two points in the final minute, but ultimately fell 52-47 to Vermont.

Trailing by just a bucket out of halftime, State's Ellison knotted things 28-all with a drop step and a layup in the first minute of the second half.