Deseret News | NCAA women: Maryland, Nebraska win

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NCAA women: Maryland, Nebraska win

Associated Press

Published: Monday, March 24, 2008 12:19 a.m. MDT

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Top-seeded Maryland pulled away in the second half, but struggled to put away Coppin State, 80-66 Sunday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Only once had a No. 1 seed lost in the opening round of the women's tournament, and with 17 minutes left in the game, the mighty Terrapins were in danger of becoming the second such victim.

Crystal Langhorne had 25 points and 12 rebounds, Marissa Coleman scored 17 and Laura Harper had 14 for the Terrapins (31-3), who will face No. 8 seed Nebraska on Tuesday in the second round of the Spokane Regional.

Coppin State made more field goals (27-24) than the Terrapins, had fewer turnovers (16-15) and played with far more fervor. Were it not for a 28-10 advantage at the foul line and a 42-26 rebounding edge, Maryland might have joined the 1998 Stanford squad as the only top seed to get bounced from the tournament by a No. 16.

Rashida Suber scored 25 points and Shalamar Oakley had 20 for Coppin State, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions. The Eagles are now 0-12 against in-state rival Maryland, but they didn't hang their heads after this one.

NEBRASKA 61, XAVIER 58: At College Park, Md., Nebraska led the entire game and by 15 in the second half, then held off a furious comeback by Xavier.

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Kelsey Griffin matched a season-high with 26 points for the eighth-seeded Cornhuskers (21-11).

Oklahoma City Regional

DUKE 78, MURRAY STATE 58: At College Park, Md., Wanisha Smith scored 16 points and the third-seeded Blue Devils never trailed, cruising past Murray State. Duke has been to the NCAA tournament 15 times, including 14 straight, without losing its opening game.

ARIZONA STATE 61, TEMPLE 54: At College Park, Md., Lauren Lacey opened the second half with two straight baskets to ignite a 13-point run, and the Sun Devils pulled away.

NOTRE DAME 75, SMU 62: At West Lafayette, Ind., Ashley Barlow had 20 points, a career-high 12 rebounds, four steals and three assists, leading fifth-seeded Notre Dame into the second round to face Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA 69, ILLINOIS ST. 61: At West Lafayette, Ind., rourth-seeded Oklahoma started the second half with a 13-0 run, then held off a late rally to beat No. 13 seed Illinois State.

Greensboro Regional

CONNECTICUT 89, CORNELL 47: At Bridgeport, Conn., Maya Moore scored 17 points to lead a balanced offense and top-ranked UConn beat No. 16 seed Cornell.