I was among a small group of Rebounders who joined Maryland and traveled to Pittsburgh Wednesday night. The Terps were there to play the Duquesne Dukes and provide senior and Aliquippa native Shatori Walker-Kimbrough with something of a homecoming. The Rebounders were there to watch. In the end, Maryland came away with an unimpressive 77-57 win over a significantly outmanned Duquesne squad.
From the opening tip, it looked as though Maryland’s game plan was to go to SW-K as often as possible. It would be nice to report that Walker-Kimbrough shone but though she put up 18 points, she struggled from the field shooting 4-10. Shatori dropped in 8-10 from the free throw line on a night when the rest of the team shot only 11-18.
The early game plan meant that Maryland’s other star senior, Brionna Jones didn’t touch the ball in a scoring position until well over five minutes had elapsed. Jones would go on to register a doubledouble with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Terps started slowly and led only 13-12 after the first period. Junior guard Kristin Confroy sparked Maryland in the second period not only dropping in seven of her 10 points but doing some many of the little things – picking up charges, creating jump balls – that don’t show up in the box score.
Coach Frese also had Maryland switch to a 3-2 matchup zone that intensified the inability of a poor shooting Dukes team to put the ball through the hoop. Duquesne scored only four points in the second period and Maryland went into the break having doubled up the score taking a 32-16 lead at halftime.
It looked as though Maryland had the game well in control leading by 26 with 1:16 to play in the third quarter. It was at this point when, much as they’d done at Loyola last week, Maryland again lost their focus and intensity. When sophomore guard Julijana Vojinovic dropped in a three pointer with 4:11 to play the Terrapins’ lead had dwindled to 10 points forcing Coach Frese to reinsert her starters. The Terps outscored the Dukes 13-3 over the final four minutes to build back the final margin.
Maryland has a week off before they host the number one ranked and defending national champion Connecticut Huskies on December 29th. Tipoff is slotted for six p.m.
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