Duke blows big lead as Terrapins triumph

Maryland overcame a 13-point second half deficit to win in OT, 78-75.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
BOSTON -- The ACC threw an exciting, extra-long women's basketball party Tuesday night.
Duke couldn't have enjoyed it.
The No. 4 Blue Devils, who squandered a 13-point lead in the second half, blew another in overtime and lost, 78-75, to Maryland in the NCAA women's championship game at TD Banknorth Garden.
No. 3 Maryland (34-4) belied its lack of experience, with two freshmen and two sophomores starting. The Terrapins were ragged in the first half, but hung around against a team that had beaten it twice during the regular season.
Terrapins freshmen scored the final four points in overtime -- free throws by Kristi Toliver with 34.2 seconds left, and Marissa Coleman with 13.4 seconds left.
Duke's potential tying 3-pointer by Jessica Foley fell short at the buzzer. The Blue Devils (32-4) misfired on long shots on their final two possessions.
National title sought
Duke was seeking its first national title in the program's 31 years. The Blue Devils lost in the 1999 final, but none of this group was involved. The final six years ago wasn't close (62-45). This loss was devastating.
Duke led 38-28 at halftime behind point guard Lindsey Harding's 13 points. The Blue Devils had lost to Maryland in the ACC tournament semifinal last month, but had won the previous 14 meetings.
Maryland forced overtime when Toliver sank a 3-pointer over 6-foot-7 Alison Bales with 6.1 seconds left. Duke had taken a 70-67 lead on senior Jessica Foley's two free throws with 18 seconds left.
Toliver said Bales was right in her face.
"And I even felt her fingertips as I was holding my follow through," Toliver said. "So, she did a great job contesting. I just had a lot of confidence. And I knew I wanted to take the big shot so I just took it."
Both teams struggled in overtime, and neither scored in the first three minutes. Duke's Monique Currie and Maryland's Shay Doron each scored her team's first four in overtime to tie the score at 74.
Strong record
Maryland is 6-0 in overtime games this season -- the first five on the road and the last in the championship game to complete the second-largest comeback in a women's title game. It was the women's first overtime game since Tennessee beat Virginia in 1991.
Jessica Foley made two free throws with 18 seconds left in regulation to give Duke a 70-67 lead, then Maryland coach Brenda Frese called timeout to set up a play.
Toliver, who had 12 turnovers in the semifinal victory over North Carolina, brought the ball down and veered over to the left side before putting through the 3 with 6.1 seconds left. Duke opted not to call a timeout; Lindsey Harding brought the ball down the court and put up a desperation leaner from the right baseline that went off the rim.
After that, Frese gave up the animated exhortations that got her team that far and just let her Terrapins take over.
"I didn't have to say a word," Frese said. "They just know that overtime is their time."
Maryland forward Laura Harper was named the tournament's most valuable player, and was joined on the all-tournament team by Toliver, North Carolina's Erlana Larkins, and Duke's Currie and Bales.