Moments after the Maryland women's basketball team's 79-69 victory over Saint Joseph's on Sunday at Comcast Center, coach Brenda Frese picked up the public address microphone and thanked the fans.
"As you can see, we're going to make it a lot of fun this season," she told the announced crowd of 5,911 after the Terrapins almost wasted a 16-point lead early in the second half before winning their fourth straight and ninth in 10 games.
In its final preparation before the start of Atlantic Coast Conference play, Maryland (12-2) got a game- and season-high 25 points and five blocks from freshman forward Diandra Tchatchouang, who shot 9-for-15, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range. Sophomore guard Anjalé Barrett added a season-high 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting and also made two of three 3-point attempts.
The Terrapins out-rebounded Saint Joseph's 51-38, limited the Hawks to 33 percent shooting, including 22 percent in the first half, and won the points battle inside, 28-18. Maryland also held the Hawks to 29 percent shooting from 3-point range while the Terrapins shot 44 percent.
"We had tremendous poise and composure down the stretch, especially against a great, hard-working team like Saint Joe's," Frese said. "I'm proud of the fact we had a lot of players spark us, give us energy, and really especially down the stretch taking care of the basketball, valuing it."
When Barrett's jumper gave Maryland a 42-26 lead with 16:42 left in the game, it appeared Maryland would coast to the win.
But Saint Joseph's (6-8) got consecutive 3-pointers from Amy Gillespie, who scored 14 of her team-high 16 points in the second half, to get within 10.
"Those are the teachable moments where we've got to get better. I mean those back-to-back 3s I thought really hurt us," Frese said. "Saint Joe's got some great looks. They really started shooting the ball from the perimeter, so at that point they made it a game."
Said Tchatchouang: "We tried to be focused on defense. We know they have a lot of shooters, so we had to be able to stop them."
Over the final 2:48, St. Joseph's shot 1-for-7 from 3-point range, and Maryland never led by fewer than six points.
"It's 2010. I'm excited to see where we're at as a team," Frese said. "Like I told them, we are getting better. We are improving. I see the steps we are making, and next test for us is N.C. State" on Thursday.