Staff photo by Ethan Hyman
RALEIGH - Top-seeded Maryland moves on in the NCAA Tournament, advancing with a 78-74 come-from-behind victory over Vanderbilit in the Raleigh regional round of 16 game at the RBC Center.
The Terrapins, who trailed by 17 points in the first half, needed a career-high 42 point performance from senior Marissa Coleman. She was the difference.
Coleman, the ACC Tournament MVP, scored 23 of her 42 points in the second half and made the go-head jump shot for the Terps with the game tied at 74-74 with about 40 seconds remaining.
Her short jump-shot splashed through the nets to put her team ahead 76-74. She followed that shot on the next play with a critical rebound, grabbing the missed shot of Vanderbilt senior Christina Wirth.
With 9.6 seconds remaining, Coleman hit two free throws to close out the contest. She walked off the court to the sounds of the Maryland contingent chanting her name.
Vanderbilt led Maryland 39-36 at halftime.
Starting on a 14-4 run, Vanderbilt built an early first half lead, its undersized players knocking down four 3-pointers from outside and swarming the Terrapins on defense.
Without panic, and without Kristi Toliver who with two fouls sat out for a short stretch of the first half, the Terrapins rallied to cut the Commodores' lead late in the half. Coleman poured in 19 points and six rebounds and sparked the comeback.
This game is a rematch from last year where the Commodores and Terrapins faced each other in the regional round of 16.
Edward joined the News & Observer staff in 2004. He is a graduate of American University and Johns Hopkins University. He covers Wake Forest football and women's college basketball for the N&O. Edward is a native of Washington, D.C. He can be reached at 829-4781 or