College Park — College Park -Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver stood side by side on the Comcast Center court in the aftermath of fifth-ranked Maryland's 86-74 victory over Boston College last night and stared up at the large video screen that displayed the highlights and illustrated the individual accomplishments of the Terrapins' two senior stars.
"Honestly, it was blalalalala," Toliver said when asked what she was thinking when she watched the video. "We're not concerned about what individual things we've accomplished. We're concerned about what this team has accomplished, and so far we've done great things."
Toliver and Coleman have already helped Maryland win an NCAA title - in 2006 as freshmen - and their play has helped put them in position to add to that.
The Terps' eighth straight win moved them into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with No. 11 Florida State (23-6, 11-2). If Maryland (24-4, 11-2) wins at Miami (13-15, 2-11) tomorrow, it will be assured of the top seed in the ACC tournament, regardless of what the Seminoles do at Wake Forest. The Terps have not won an ACC championship - regular-season or tournament - since 1989.
Coleman scored a career-high 32 points and Toliver added 27, marking the second time the players both scored more than 25 points in the same game. They also combined to score Maryland's first 30 points.
"Usually seniors on senior night, it takes a little while [to get going], but [it's] not in their mentality," coach Brenda Frese said. "They've set too big of goals to let the emotion of this game get the best of us. They continue to put this team on their back and understand that we needed to get a quick start."
Mickel Picco led Boston College (18-10, 6-7) with 18 points.
It was an emotional night, as an announced 11,058 gathered at Comcast Center to pay tribute to the two seniors, the 16th time the pair had played in front of more than 10,000 at home. The fans cheered when Coleman and Toliver, along with five senior team managers, were honored before the game, and they waved signs thanking the pair. One implored them to "please FLUNK something to stay and play."
NO. 5
MARYLAND (24-4, 11-2) @MIAMI
(13-15, 2-11)
Tomorrow, 2 p.m.