In College Park, Maryland, a cherished team mantra was once again validated as the Maryland Terrapins women’s basketball team clinched a thrilling victory in double overtime against Alabama. Coach Brenda Frese has long declared, “Overtime is our time,” and this proved true on Monday when the Terrapins outlasted Alabama with a 111-108 win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The victory was propelled by a standout performance from Sarah Te-Biasu, who not only leveled the score with a crucial 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter but also netted eight of her 26 points during the second overtime. This win pushes the fourth-seeded Maryland (25-7) forward to the Sweet 16, where they will face top-seeded South Carolina.
Reaching this stage wasn’t easy; they had to mount a dramatic comeback against Alabama, who were led by Sarah Ashlee Barker’s career-high 45 points. Barker’s performance helped her team secure a substantial 17-point lead in the third quarter. “I think we put on a show for women’s basketball tonight,” Barker commented, reflecting on the intense matchup.
This echoes the Terrapins’ 2006 team, renowned for their prowess in overtime, going 6-0 during their run to the national title. Monday’s encounter was the first overtime they faced in the NCAA Tournament since that historic season. The journey to overtime took considerable effort, with Te-Biasu’s late game heroics being vital to Maryland’s success.
Shyanne Sellers tied the game at 80 with a pair of free throws, but soon after, Barker’s 3-pointer put Alabama briefly back on top. Kaylene Smikle’s subsequent 3-point attempt was blocked by Barker, but Smikle quickly recovered, passing the ball to Te-Biasu, who scored another crucial basket.
The battle continued into overtime, with Maryland taking a slim lead. Barker kept Alabama alive with a clutch 3-pointer while drawing a foul, making all three free-throw attempts to tie the game and force a second overtime period.
Maryland demonstrated resilience, maintaining their composure during the second extra session. Despite a valiant effort from Alabama, which included a last-second 3-point attempt that went astray, Te-Biasu’s defensive efforts secured the victory, keeping a pivotal inbound pass away from Barker.
“We just kept playing for each other the whole game,” Te-Biasu said, reflecting on the tenacity and team spirit that drove the Terrapins to victory. Notably, only a few players in NCAA Tournament history have scored more than Barker’s 45 points, a testament to her exceptional performance.
Alabama, aspiring for their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1998, fell just short. They capitalized on their inside presence, dominating Maryland in points in the paint. Meanwhile, Maryland’s strategic offensive rebounds played a key role in wearing down their opponents.
Maryland now turns its attention to South Carolina, seeking redemption after their last encounter resulted in a loss during the Elite Eight two years ago.