University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldog Women Ready for Last Pre Conference Test
12.28.2008 | Women's Basketball
COLLEGE PARK, Md.?UNC Asheville's women's basketball team travels to Maryland for the Terrapin Classic this week in its final games of 2008. The Bulldogs face 16th ranked Maryland at 2 p.m. on Monday and either Mississippi State or Marshall on Tuesday.
Asheville has had a tough 2008 posting an 8-18 mark during the calendar year. The Bulldogs will begin Big South play on Jan. 3 at Coastal Carolina.
The Dogs have had 11 days off since a 65-53 loss at Campbell have been led this season by Chioma Okoli who is fourth in the Big South averaging 13.1 points per game. Ana Baker led the team with 19 points at Campbell is averaging 10.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Lindsey Thompson is coming off her best game of the season as she netted 11 points at Campbell.
The Terrapin Classic will be a homecoming for Baker and Kendall Shepard who are both Maryland natives. The trip marks the first time since 2004 the Dogs have played in Maryland. Asheville went 1-1 in Navy's Tournament in Annapolis in its final games of 2004.
16th ranked Maryland is 9-2 on the season and is led by Kristi Toliver who is averaging 15.6 points per game. Marissa Coleman is scoring 15.1 points and leads the team at 8.8 rebounds per game. Lynetta Kizer and Demauria Liles are each averaging 11.8 points per game. The Terps are averaging 74.6 points per game and are 3-0 at home this season.
Monday's game marks the first meeting between UNC Asheville and Maryland in women's basketball. The Bulldogs are 1-22 all-time against the ACC. The only win came 58-53 at Wake Forest, Jan. 5, 2007. Asheville is 0-3 against ranked opponents under Betsy Blose with the last meeting coming at then second ranked North Carolina in 2005. Asheville has never faced Mississippi State and is 0-2 all-time against Marshall.
Regardless of the outcome of Monday's game, Asheville will play at Noon on Tuesday. Fans can follow both games via live stats on Maryland's website, umterps.com.
