University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Maryland
Women's Hoops Downs Maryland, 87-58
June 21, 1999 | Women's Basketball
January 10, 1999
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina ran around Maryland's perimeter for 3-pointers, through the Terrapins defense for easy baskets and away from the Terrapins in transition for an 87-58 victory Sunday.
"The worst thing that could happen did happen," said Maryland Coach Chris Weller. "North Carolina came out fired up after their loss at (North Carolina) State. They came out smoking."
The Tar Heels (18-2, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) hit eight of their first 11 shots, held Maryland scoreless on its first five possessions and jumped out to a 41-17 lead. They hit 23 of 43 shots in the first half and six of seven 3-pointers.
"We knew we'd struggle with them," Weller said. "They're so big along the perimeter. But then they put the ball inside much more than I anticipated. They had so many things clicking tonight."
Chanel Wright and Juana Brown led North Carolina with 21 and 17, respectively. Nikki Teasley added 14.
"Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war," said North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell, referring to her Tar Heels' upset at unranked N.C. State. "Maybe that helped us get refocused on some things we need to do."
Deedee Warley scored 16 points to lead Maryland (2-12, 0-5), which lost its third straight ACC game to a Top 25 opponent, having lost earlier to No. 13 Duke and No. 22 Virginia. Kelley Gibson had 11 and Ginji Perry added 10 for the Terrapins.
The Tar Heels hit eight of their nine 3-point attempts and outrebounded the taller Terrapins 48-37.
Wright and Brown each scored 17 points in the first half. Brown hit her third 3-pointer just before the horn to give North Carolina a 59-29 halftime lead.
The Tar Heels then held Maryland to just one basket in the first 7 1/2 minutes of the second half.
Wright and Teasley both hit 3-pointers in an 18-2 run that pushed North Carolina to its biggest lead, 77-31, with 12:43 left. North Carolina pulled its starters about a minute later.
"It turned into a track meet," Weller said. "And there's no way to stay with Carolina in a track meet. You can't defend transition layups. All you can do is chase them down the court."
