6BLACK E6 DAILY 04-04-06 MD SU E6 BLACK

E6 Tuesday, April 4, 2006 S The Washington Post College

FINAL FOUR Duke vs. Maryland WHEN: 8:30 p.m. WHERE: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston (18,642). TELEVISION: ESPN. RECORDS: Duke (ACC at-large), 31-3; Maryland (ACC at-large), 33-4.

ANALYSIS BY KATHY ORTON

BLUE DEVILS ROSTER MATCHUPS TERRAPINS ROSTER FG FT Avg Avg Avg FG FT Avg Avg Avg Pos.Name G Pct. Pct. Ast. Reb. Pts. Back Court: Maryland had one less turn- Pos.Name G Pct. Pct. Ast. Reb. Pts. 1 F Mistie Williams 34 .633 .657 1.6 6.4 11.4 over against North Carolina (12) than she had in her previous 1 C-F 37 .670 .694 2.0 8.6 17.4 2 G Emily Waner 23 .315 .714 1.0 0.7 2.3 four tournament games combined. Toliver can’t be as sloppy 15 F-C Laura Harper 35 .541 .684 0.7 7.2 11.3 3 G-F Laura Kurz 30 .539 .875 0.4 2.4 5.4 with the ball against Duke, particularly against Lindsey 20 G Kristi Toliver 32 .412 .887 4.4 2.6 11.5 4 G 34 .458 .692 3.2 2.4 9.0 Harding, who averages 2.1 steals per game and was the 21 G Ashleigh Newman 37 .374 .745 2.3 3.6 7.8 10 G 34 .484 .780 4.6 3.7 10.5 ACC defensive player of the year. Since returning from 22 G 37 .398 .822 4.0 3.8 13.4 11 C 33 .545 .583 0.6 6.2 8.1 her season-long suspension in 2004-05, Harding has 25 G-F 36 .510 .830 3.1 7.9 13.9 22 G-F Brittany Mitch 3 .500 .000 3.3 1.3 3.0 been a key factor in Duke’s run to the national champi- 32 G-F Charmaine Carr 36 .444 .613 0.6 1.9 1.9 23 G 34 .441 .705 3.6 2.7 7.6 onship game. Maryland’s Shay Doron is 5 for 28 from 40 F-C Angel Ross 14 .125 .400 0.2 1.5 0.4 the field in the last four games and hasn’t reached 24 G Jessica Foley 34 .442 .824 1.7 1.6 5. double figures in points. Duke’s Wanisha 44 C Aurelie Noirez 31 .486 .647 0.3 1.8 2.5 25 G-F 34 .477 .815 2.8 5.8 16.2 Smith (Riverdale Baptist) has made 55 F-C Jade Perry 37 .453 .750 0.6 4.4 6.6 30 F Carrem Gay 26 .625 .640 0.3 2.4 3.7 only 9 of 32 attempts in Starters are shaded 43 C 34 .520 .784 1.1 6.6 8.8 the tournament and is averaging Starters are shaded just 4.6 points per game. DIFFERENCE MAKER Front Court: Maryland DIFFERENCE MAKER reached the national title Laura Harper, 6-4, F, game on the strength of its Soph.: Harper had a Alison Bales, 6-7, C, Jr.: breakout performance In her three games post players, Crystal Langhorne and Laura against North Carolina on against Maryland this Sunday. By asserting year, Bales did not reach Harper, who dominat- ed North Carolina in herself on the offensive double figures in scoring end — she scored a or rebounding. But in the the semifinal game. They are averaging career-high 24 points — she made it difficult NCAA tournament, she for the Tar Heels to focus on stopping Crystal has been a force. Bales, the most outstanding a combined 37.6 points and 17 re- Langhorne. She has to avoid the foul trouble player of the Bridgeport Region, has averaged that has plagued her in the past four games. 12.4 ppg and 8.4 rpg in five NCAA games. bounds per game in the NCAA tournament. Duke Alison Bales has come on strong ROAD TO BOSTON lately. She was particularly effective in ROAD TO BOSTON shutting down LSU center Beat No. 16 seed Southern, 96-27: Beat No. 15 seed Sacred Heart, 95-54: Southern’s scoring output was a tournament in the national semifinal. Duke forward Mistie Williams, a hard-nosed worker in Maryland outrebounded the Pioneers, 57-26. record for fewest points. Beat No. 7 St. John’s, 81-74: Crystal Beat No. 8 Southern California, 85-51: the low post, is the Blue Devils’ second- leading rebounder in NCAA games (7.4 Langhorne’s 30 points helped the Terrapins Duke outrebounded the Women of Troy, 59-28. overcome 20 turnovers. Beat No. 4 Michigan State, 86-61: The Blue rebounds per game). Maryland freshman forward Marissa Coleman had 14 re- Beat No. 3 Baylor, 82-63: Langhorne scored Devils scored 23 points off Michigan State 34 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, turnovers. bounds and seven assists in the win over North Carolina. Monique Currie (Bullis) outplaying all-American . Beat No. 2 Connecticut, 63-61 (OT): Alison Beat No. 5 Utah, 75-65 (OT): The Utes Bales finished two blocks short of a is determined to lead Duke to its first na- tional title. didn’t make a field goal in overtime. triple-double and was named the region’s most Beat No. 1 North Carolina, 81-70: outstanding player. Bench: Maryland’s reserves accounted for no points and three rebounds in the national Maryland overcame 26 turnovers by holding Beat No. 1 LSU, 64-45: Duke held the nation’s North Carolina to 4 of 23 three-pointers. leading scorer, , to 14 semifinal. None even attempted a shot. Duke points, nine below her average. guard Abby Waner, who started 15 games this season, is averaging 10 points per game. She is also the Blue Devils’ perimeter specialist, leading RESULTS RESULTS the team with nine three-pointers in the NCAA tourna- 107..at Siena ...... 66 79....at Wake Forest .....70 93....at Penn State...... 67 75....Tennessee ...... 53 ment. Duke forward Chante Black had a career-high 19 points 93....Xavier ...... 68 88....Miami...... 77 93....at Old Dominion....56 97....at Clemson...... 65 88....Gonzaga ...... 50 85....Virginia...... 71 110..Fairfield...... 44 70....North Carolina ...... 74 against the Terrapins in Duke’s 86-68 win in January. 75....at Michigan St...... 61 98....at UNC...... 95 110..Arkansas State .....56 73....at Virginia Tech ....62 Coaches: Maryland’s and Duke’s Gail Goestenkors 75....at Tennessee...... 80 80....at Duke ...... 90 69....Auburn...... 37 88....Virginia...... 65 118..Appalachian St. ....59 86....Boston College...... 59 84....at Texas...... 70 90....Maryland...... 80 each is seeking her first national title. Frese, a finalist for Naismith 102..Mt. St. Mary’s...... 53 65....at N.C. State ...... 57 92....at TCU ...... 52 99....at Miami (2OT)...... 93 coach of the year award, is 8-3 in four NCAA appearances. This is her 88....at Monmouth ...... 55 89....Clemson ...... 63 110..Ball State...... 24 93....Virginia Tech...... 51 92....Arizona ...... 67 89....N. Colorado...... 53 99....Colorado State...... 52 65....at UNC...... 77 first time taking a team to the national championship game. In 12 69....Coppin St...... 38 71....Georgia Tech-x .....66 105..St. John’s...... 57 69....Virginia Tech-x .....56 70....at G. Mason...... 33 78....Duke-x ...... 70 119..at San Diego ...... 52 70....Maryland-x...... 78 trips to the NCAA tournament, Goestenkors is 34-11 and has made 94....Cent. Conn. St. ....57 80....UNC-x...... 91 100..Wake Forest ...... 54 96....Southern-y...... 27 four trips to the Final Four. This is her second appearance in a title 92....Furman ...... 58 95....Sacred Heart-y .....54 87....Florida State...... 68 85....Southern Cal-y...... 51 82....Manhattan...... 49 81....St. John’s-y ...... 74 86....at Maryland...... 68 86....Michigan St.-y...... 61 game. 67....at BC...... 64 82....Baylor-y...... 63 67....at Georgia Tech ....59 63....U.Conn. (OT)-y...... 61 68....Duke...... 86 75....Utah-y ...... 65 66....at BC...... 52 64....LSU-y...... 45 75....Florida State...... 57 81....UNC-y...... 70 84....at Holy Cross...... 36 x-ACC tournament BY SARA D. DAVIS — ASSOCIATED PRESS BY CHARLES KRUPA — ASSOCIATED PRESS 84....at Virginia ...... 74 x-ACC tournament 77....N.C. State ...... 57 y-NCAA tournament 68....at Virginia Tech ....62 y-NCAA tournament Lindsey Harding Laura Harper 79....Georgia Tech...... 71

TEAM COMPARISONS Scoring Average (Points) Field Goal Percentage Three-Point Percentage Percentage Average Average

DU 83.5 DU 48.0% DU 40.1% DU 74.6% DU 43.9 DU 18.2

UM 86.3 MU 37.2% MU 30.8% MU 69.4% MU 45.4 MU 16.1

Terps, Duke Ready for Back-and-Forth Night NOTEBOOK FINAL, From E1 Maryland Hopes Rivalry double figures, led by Langhorne’s 17.4 points per game. And while Continues to Tilt Its Way Langhorne has been impressive By Kathy Orton the same DVDs. I wanted to help throughout the tournament, the Special to The Washington Post expand their minds.” Terrapins wouldn’t have made it to Langhorne and Coleman had a the championship game without BOSTON, April 3 — As pas- hard time recalling which books Kristi Toliver pouring in 28 points sionate as the competition be- Goestenkors had them read. against Utah in the region final or tween Duke and Maryland has They said they enjoyed “Tues- Harper exploding for 24 points been in men’s basketball, it days with Morrie.” against North Carolina in the na- hasn’t had the same fervor for “She’s probably disappointed, tional semifinal. the women given how lopsided but I really can’t remember some At 16.2 points per game, Currie the results have been. of the books because I kind of is one of three players averaging in Entering Tuesday night’s na- skimmed through them,” Lang- double figures for Duke. Yet the tional championship game, Duke horne said. “I read the whole Blue Devils would not have made has won 14 of the last 15 meet- ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ book it this far without Alison Bales ings with Maryland. The Terra- though.” scoring 15 points and grabbing 13 pins’ lone victory during this six- rebounds against Connecticut in season drought came in this Friends and Foes the region final or Abby Waner year’s ACC tournament semifi- erupting for 14 points against nals. Despite its recent futility Coleman also played on the un- Michigan State in the region semi- against the Blue Devils, Mary- der-19 team two summers ago final. land still leads the overall series, and was teammates with Duke Duke Coach Gail Goestenkors 32-29. freshman Abby Waner. The two has long been a proponent of high- “The rivalry between us hasn’t became fast friends. After Sun- scoring, crowd-pleasing basket- been great because they’ve just day night’s win over North Caro- ball. In her 14 seasons at the been better,” Maryland guard lina, Coleman received a text school, the Blue Devils have Shay Doron said. “Now the tides message from Waner that read, scored 100 points or more 42 are not turning, but they are defi- “See you Tuesday.” times. This season, they have BY PRESTON KERES — THE WASHINGTON POST nitely even right now. This could “I’m excited to play against topped the century mark six times Maryland Coach Brenda Frese is surrounded by talented players entering the national title game against Duke. become one of the best rivalries her in the championship game,” and reached 90 points a school- in college basketball.” Coleman said. “We were talking record 15 times. Their 86.3 points and if I’m going to be a main part of them.” a game this year. A college redshirt [Sunday] night how crazy it is per game leads Division I. Without that, it’s going to have to be that The key to setting up the fast freshman dunked twice in a game. Getting a Read our freshman year we’re about to a doubt, it is a style that appeals to kind of game.” break is rebounding, and both The teams playing for the national play in the national champion- her players. Point guards play a big role in teams have post players who are championship are the two that Maryland’s Crystal Langhorne ship game against each other and “I’d rather transition all day setting the tone and tempo of a dogged underneath the basket. lead Division I in scoring. and Marissa Coleman played for just how excited we are about it.” than have to run a play,” Currie game, and both teams have point Maryland grabs a Division I-lead- “Players are a lot more athletic,” Duke Coach Gail Goestenkors said. “It’s just more fun that way, guards who excel in this style. ing 12.3 rebounds more than its Currie said. “They’re taking more this past summer on the U.S. un- No Need for Kodak and you can play more freely.” Duke’s Lindsey Harding uses her opponents. Duke is outrebounding shots, hitting more threes and the der-19 world championship team Maryland’s scoring average has defense to create fast-break oppor- its competition by more than 10 game is a lot faster so with that, and received more than just an It doesn’t seem to bother skyrocketed since Coach Brenda tunities and has a knack for finding per game. The Blue Devils had scores are higher. I think that education in basketball. Goes- Langhorne that she wasn’t Frese’s arrival in 2002. Before she teammates in the open court. To- more rebounds in each of their two makes the game a lot more fun.” tenkors gave them several books picked for the Kodak all-Amer- came to College Park, the Terra- liver has a good court awareness as wins against the Terrapins this And the players believe it is ex- to read during their travels and ican team. Given how well she pins rarely broke 70 points. In well as a talent for hitting back- season, but fewer rebounds in actly what women’s basketball had them write about what they played this season, many at three seasons, Maryland has gone breaking three-pointers. Harding their loss to Maryland. It is for that needs. learned from each book in a jour- Maryland thought she would be- from 67.4 points per game to 83.5 gave Maryland fits in Duke’s 86-68 reason that the Terrapins have put “I think the improved scoring nal. come the first all-American at the points per game — second best in win in January. She tied a career a particular emphasis on rebound- helps the game a lot,” Harper said. “I didn’t want them to just school since and Division I. high with 19 points and was a big ing, posting signs to remind the “I think most [people] look at the grow as basketball players,” Deanna Tate each won the award “That’s what people want to see reason the Blue Devils shot 58 per- players of its importance. women’s game as a slower-paced Goestenkors said. “I wanted in 1989. in basketball,” Maryland guard cent from the floor. “They are everywhere, even game, kind of boring, not really up them to grow as people as well. I “I don’t really care about that,” Shay Doron said. “They want to “I think she’s their best player when we are sitting on the toilet,” and down. Now we are scoring, knew we would be spending a lot she said. “We’re in the champi- see the ball go in the basket. on the team,” Doron said. “Mo- Harper said. getting fast breaks, showing emo- of time on planes, in hotel rooms, onship game, and that’s what’s “I love the pace of our games. nique Currie probably gets all the Indications are that this style of tion and catching people’s eyes. I and I told them I didn’t want important. We’re a five-player

[Frese] knew recruiting me, if attention and whatnot, but Har- basketball is here to stay. A high think that is what is needed for the them listening to the same music team. There are Kodak all-Amer- you’re going to build a program, ding does all the little things for school player scored 113 points in sport.” over and over again or watching icans that aren’t here.” 6BLACK E6