Shyanne Sellers and Maryland are still dancing. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
A day after the Maryland men pulled off the thriller of the NCAA tournament, Maryland’s women have offered their own entry into tournament lore.
No. 5 seed Alabama rallied from a 31-21 first-half deficit to take a 17-point lead in the third quarter of Monday’s second-round matchup with No. 4 seed Maryland. But the Terrapins countered with a rally of their own to erase the deficit before eventually pulling off a stunning, 111-108 win in double overtime to advance to the Sweet 16.
The victory overcame a heroic effort by All-SEC guard Sarah Ashlee Barker, who set an Alabama record with 45 points.
Alabama turned its 10-point second-quarter deficit into a 62-45 lead with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter and appeared well on its way to the Sweet 16. But Maryland stormed back to give itself a chance late in regulation that Sarah Te-biasu cashed in on.
Te-biasu’s 3-pointer on a busted play late in the shot clock secured the tie for Maryland in regulation with 17.5 seconds remaining, and Alabama didn’t score on the other end.
The Terrapins then appeared to have victory secured with a defensive stand to thwart Alabama’s effort to tie the game again with 8.4 seconds remaining in the first overtime. The Crimson Tide had two looks at a game-tying layup, but both missed the mark.
Maryland extended its lead to 96-93 on a 1-for 2 trip at the line on the other end, setting Maryland up with a chance to tie the game in the final seconds. The Terps then fouled Barker on a 3-point attempt with 0.7 seconds remaining, sending her to the line with a chance to tie the game.
Barker calmly swished all three throws to tie the game with her then-career high 39th point to force the second overtime.
Maryland then scored the first bucket of the second overtime and never trailed again.
Alabama cut its deficit to 108-106 on a Barker layup with 28 seconds remaining. She scored again to cut Maryland’s lead to 109-108 with 15.1 seconds remaining for her 45th point.
But it wasn’t enough to secure the win as Alabama’s last-gasp 3-point attempt by Diana Collins missed the mark with 1.8 seconds remaining. Alabama had one last chance on an inbounds play under its basket after a team offensive rebound. But Te-Biasu broke up the pass to clinch the Maryland victory.
and Maryland held on for a breathless victory.
It added up to the thriller of the tournament while making multiple entries into the NCAA record book. The 219 combined points are the second-most in an NCAA tournament game and the most in 30 years. Barker’s 45 points are tied for the fourth-most in NCAA tournament history and the most since 2016. Unfortunately for Barker and Maryland, her tally comes in a losing effort.
While Barker paced the Crimson Tide, Maryland got a balanced effort with three different players scoring 24-plus points. All-Big Ten guard Shyanne Sellers led the way with 28 points, including a pair of free throws for Maryland’s final points that extended its lead to 111-108 with 15 seconds remaining.
Te-Biasu, a fifth-year senior transfer, finished with 26 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals while hitting 5 of 7 3-point attempts. In addition to her 3 to force the first overtime, she opened the scoring in the second overtime with another.
All-Big Ten guard Kaylene Smikle, also a first-year transfer, tallied 24 points, seven rebounds, three steals and one block. She watched the second overtime from the bench after fouling out with 1:46 remaining in the first extra session.
Alabama was down multiple key players down the stretch after starters Aaliyah Nye and Zaay Green both fouled out. The Crimson Tide were previously 24-0 in games they led after the fourth quarter. Now their season is over in heartbreaking fashion.
Maryland, meanwhile, has a few days off before a stiff test in the next round. Up next in the Sweet 16, a date with No. 1 seed and reigning national champion South Carolina.
