Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Tamika Louis had no illusions her Delaware State squad would be able to overcome a lack of size or depth and display the type of pinpoint execution necessary to surprise a ranked opponent.
"We're pretty beat up," Louis said after the Hornets absorbed a 93-44 beating at the hands of No. 8 Maryland on Saturday night. "We've only got half our team here and a lot of injuries. It's just one of those nights where you kind of have to throw the ball up and let them play a little bit. Maryland's a great team and we're just happy to come out without getting another injury."
Freshman guard Raven Bankston led the Hornets (3-5) with 22 points, but Delaware State couldn't contend with waves of talented Maryland players.
"We couldn't match up size-wise, and freshmen are the best players I'm playing right now," Louis said. "It's just tough. You have to get your kids that don't play some experience and don't feel like you're demoralized."
The Hornets couldn't even catch a break with Terrapins leading scorer Alyssa Thomas on the bench for the final 17 minutes of the first half in foul trouble. Thomas still finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, helping Maryland to its eighth straight victory.
"That's one of the things we've really been able to show, our depth and our talent," said Maryland coach Brenda Frese. "What I love is when you have A.T. back in the lineup, she's a workhorse and works within everything else. But when you have the amount of options we have this season, that's what puts you in another category."
Thomas was on the bench after picking up a pair of early fouls when Maryland (10-1) finished the first half on a 21-6 run, extending a 24-16 lead. Seven different Terrapins scored during the burst, led by five points from Tierney Pfirman.
"That's the type of team we are _ we keep coming," said Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who added 13 points for Maryland. "We have all the depth possible that a team could want. We have something special."
Instead of panicking without Thomas _ who hit double digits for a 10th straight game _ the Terrapins prospered regardless of what personnel grouping Frese sent out.
"We don't have to miss a beat, where another team might have to take an L for it," Frese said.
Maryland improved to 4-0 against Delaware State, which shot 24 percent (15 for 62) from the field..
Lexie Brown scored 11 points and Malina Howard 10 for Maryland, which scored 22 points off 18 Hornet turnovers and outrebounded the visitors 64-33.
Maryland's edge in size, speed and depth was no match for the Hornets' patient offensive attack early on. The Terrapins led 45-22 at halftime, ending the opening 20 minutes on a 21-6 run and holding Delaware State without a field goal after Bankston's left-side bank shot with 6:00 left in the first half.
The Terrapins played most of the first half without Thomas, who picked up her second personal foul three minutes into the game while fighting for a loose ball on the Delaware State baseline and sat on the bench for the remainder of the half.
"It (stinks) getting two fouls so early in the game," Thomas said. "All you can do is encourage your teammates."
But Delaware State couldn't capitalize on her absence as Maryland flexed its muscle on defense and scored in waves.
Thomas returned in the second half, tallying 14 points in 14 minutes.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
