Israeli Shay Doron helps Maryland reach Final Four

Perhaps Shay Doron's teammate, freshman point guard Kristi Toliver, should play while sick more often.

By AVI CREDITOR
shay doron 88 (photo credit: )
shay doron 88
(photo credit: )
Perhaps Shay Doron's teammate, freshman point guard Kristi Toliver, should play while sick more often. Toliver, who played through a stomach virus that had made its way around the University of Maryland Terrapins'‚ locker room, scored a career-high 28 points and knocked down a career-high six three-pointers to lead second-seeded Maryland to the Final Four for the first time since 1989. Maryland progressed after a 75-65 overtime win over fifth-seeded Utah Monday night at The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On a night when Doron did not have her finest performance (six points, five rebounds, four assists), her backcourt mate Toliver stepped up, unconsciously swishing long treys to single-handedly carry the Terrapins. Maryland had a chance to win the game on the last possession in regulation, but Toliver's off-balance three was no good, and Doron's putback in traffic bounced off the front rim at the buzzer to send the game to the extra session. From there it was all Maryland, as the Terrapins outscored Utah 12-2 in the extra frame behind six points from sophomore forward Laura Harper. Doron added a key bucket in overtime, and Albuquerque Region Most Outstanding Player, sophomore Crystal Langhorne, notched her second consecutive double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds) to help carry the Terrapins to the national semifinals at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden. The trip to Boston won't be the first for the Terrapins this season. They beat ACC foe Boston College in Beantown at the beginning of January, and before the game head coach Brenda Frese motivated her Terrapins by taking them on a surprise trip to TD Banknorth Garden to let them visualize what they were playing for. Now Maryland's ultimate goal is in clear sight, as they will play at that venue for a shot at the national title. The Terrapins will take on the winner of North Carolina vs Tennessee, a battle of the top two teams in the country, in the Final Four on April 2.