By Mel Greenberg
COLLEGE PARK, Md. _ Tricks and treats abounded in the Comcast Center Wednesday night as the USA National Select Team launched its eight-city collegiate tour with a 90-73 win over Maryland that wasn't decided until after the second half got under way.
Though only an exhibition game, the event marked the opening of Maryland's new quest for a second NCAA title after the Terrapins failed last spring to defend their thrilling championship that was captured in Boston in 2006.
Halloween was noted by several female fans, who provided the tricks by dressing in a blonde wig and stuffing a pillow beneath their outer wear in the personna of Maryland coach Brenda Frese, who is expecting twins in February.
The Terrapins, incidentially, are also noting Frese' future event on Nov. 30 when Ohio State visits as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Maryland is running a promotion for the game, trying to set a record by giving Frese "the world's largest baby shower."
Meanwhile, there was much to feel good on both sides Wednesday night. The Terrapins, who were named fourth in the preseason coaches poll earlier in the day, seemed to regain the swagger that carried them to the 2006 title.
The Associated Press poll will be released Saturday.
Despite all-America Crystal Langhorne of Willingboro sidelined with a sprained ankle, senior Laura Harper of Cheltenham High -- the other Philadelphia area product on Maryland's roster -- fueled a first-half effort with 14 of her 20 points and the Terrapins went to break trailing by a mere basket at 40-38.
"We had a ton of fun tonight," Freese said afterwards. "I loved the way we come out and competed against the best team in the country. There are nothing but positives to take out of the game today."
Junior Kristi Toliver, whose three-pointer in Boston sent Maryland into overtime against Duke in the NCAAt title game in 2006, ran Maryland's show from the point and finished with 18 points.
Toliver also got the Terrapins to within a basket at the end of the first half, going length-of-the-court and nailing a trey.
Afterwards, the USA's Diana Taurasi, the former UConn star who is a member of the WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury, gushed about the play of Toliver.
"At the end of the game, I turned to (former Connecticut teammate) Sue Bird and I told her that's the best point guard in college right now,"Taurasi said. "I don't think anyone can control a game like she can with her scoring and her ability to push the ball up the floor, and get people open. She a very tough player, she really is."
It was later noted to Taurasi that she might have thought restraining herself somewhat,considering the USA's next stop is at Storrs Friday night to play her alma mater, where Huskies fans believe they have a pretty good point guard in Renee Montgomery.
"I guess I'm going to have say that about everybody's point guard after we play them," Taurasi said with a big grin.
Later, Taurasi was chatting up Maryland stars, several of whom have played on USA teams, bragging about the numbers of quality teams in the Big East, of which UConn is a member.
"Even the Villanova of old was better," Taurasi said while pretending to run Harry Perretta's patient offense.
The Terrapin group bragged about the Atlantic Coast Conference and having the top three in the AP poll several times the last several years.
If Maryland was elated, so was USA coach Anne Donovan over the return of Lisa Leslie, who missed the WNBA summer for the Los Angeles Sparks after givng birth to her first daughter in June.
Leslie admitted to being rusty after shooting 3-for-13 and scoring eight points.
Donovan saw enough to believe one of USA's all-time stars will soon be back to her MVP form.
"I can't get past the fact that four months ago Lisa had a baby," Donovan said. "She's doing a great job."
Leslie readily admitted her performance has a way to go to meet her standards.
"I have high expectations and we know the level I play at," the former Southern Cal all-American said. "I feel like a backup post right now. "It's my first game back in a year and it's a lot of fun to be out here. I think when I get my legs back, it will help."
Harper, who had to defend Leslie and blocked a shot, spoke of her feelings going against a player she watched while growing up in suburban Philadelphia.
"I've been a fan of her since I was 9 or 10, so obviously I was honored to be playing on the same court as her," Harper said. "I wasn't really thinking about playing against her, but I loved being on the same floor as all of these amazing players."
Harper then admitted to once owning a Lisa Leslie jersey.
Kara Lawson, a former Tennessee star who plays for the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs, had 17 points, whiile former LSU star Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx scored 16. Taurasi had 15 points, including 3-of-5 made three-pointers.
Exhibition results of Local Teams of Interest
La Salle 82, M.I. Express 48 -- If Wednesday night's exhibition win by the Explorers at the Tom Gola Arena is an indicator, the season opener could be an air war on Nov. 9 when La Salle hosts Villanova, which will also count in the Big Five standings.
On Wednesday, La Salle had 14 made three-pointer, a perimeter shooting skill that has been Villanova's trademark attack in the past. The Explorer snipers were Tara Lapetina (3-for-4, nine points), Jamie Walsh (3-for-3, 13 points), and freshman Ashley Gale (3-for-4, 11 points). The game-high went to senior Carlene Hightower, who ended the night with 20 points (2-for-4 from three), and added team-highs with nine rebounds and six assists.
Penn State 82, Millersville 41 -- The Nittany Lions had their first informal public display under new coach Coquese Washington at the Bryce Jordan Center as sophomore guard Tyra Grant had a game-high 22 points and steals. Senior guard Kam Gissendanner added 18 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
Additionally, sophomore forward Meredith Monroe came off the bench to nearly post a double-double with eight points and a game-best 10 rebounds, while junior point guard Brianne O’Rourke added double digits with 15 points to go with five rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Future Sun Shine in Connecticut?
Mike Thibault, coach of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, is an assistant coach with the USA squad and during some informal pre-game chatter near the USA bench, he volunteered praises about Sandrine Gruda.
"Wait till you see her," Thibault said of the French center he picked in the first round but who did not play last summer. "She's something. She's like a strong Asjha Jones. That's why we had to get the rights to her."
The Sun used Los Angeles' pick in the deal that sent Taj McWilliams-Franklin to the Sparks prior to last season.
Rutgers Trio on Wooden Watch List
Scarlet Knights seniors Matee Ajavon and Essence Carson, along with junior Kia Vaughn, are among 30 players on the first Wooden Award watch list.
The school also launched a web site on Wednesday to run all-America campaigns for the three-way threats.
Blogging Crew Notes
Acacia checked in from Vassar via cell on Wednesday and we wish her well in her candidacy for editor of the school paper. She will be filing a few features in the near-future as part of the preseason package.
Chuck Schoffner, who succeeded us at AP as poll co-ordinator will be giving way to Doug Feinberg, our AP friend and colleague out of central headquarters in NewYork.
So with time on his hands, Chuck will appear here now and then with features and notes as his schedule warrants. He lives in Iowa City.
-- Mel
Philly.com discussions are intended to be civil, friendly conversations. Please treat other participants with respect and in a way that you would want to be treated. You are responsible for what you say. And please, stay on topic.
These boards are monitored by Philly.com staff. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. Personal attacks, especially on other board participants, are not permitted. We reserve the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions.