Terps beat Duke for NCAA Championship

Trailing 45 to 32 in the second half, the Maryland Terrapins marched back to force overtime on a three-point shot by freshman sensation, guard Kristi Toliver, to tie the game at 70. Then, the Maryland Terrapins defeated the Duke Blue Devils 78 to 75 and claim their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship.

I don't know why Duke didn't foul Maryland when they led 70 to 67 with 15 seconds remaining in the second half. Yes, I know Toliver hit a tough jump shot to tie the game; but, I wouldn't have allowed her to even attemp a three-point shot. Oh well.

Plus, Duke didn't get the ball to Alison Bales enough. Bales had an advantage inside; plus, besides Currie in the overtime period, no other Duke player wanted the basketball in her hands down the stretch.

The Terps played well and came through in the clutch. Maryland is such a young team; but, they won a championship when no one outside of Terp Nation expcected them to do so. Kudos to them.

In a battle of point guards, Duke's Lindsey Harding won the match-up with Kristi Toliver in the first half. However, Toliver stepped up big time in the second half.

Check out the numbers:
First half -- Harding shot 6 for 8, scored 13 points and pulled down 2 boards. Toliver shot 1 for 9 and scored just 2 points.
Second half -- Harding shot 0 for 6 and scored just 3 points. Toliver shot 5 for 9 and scored 14 points.

All Tournament Team:
M.O.P. -- Laura Harper, Maryland.
Alison Bales, Duke.
Monique Currie, Duke.
Erlana Larkins, North Carolina.
Kristi Toliver, Maryland.