The Maryland women's basketball team came up short in the Sweet 16 against No. 1 seed South Carolina. After an incredible comeback and a series of heroics against No. 5 seed Alabama in the Round of 32, it was the Terrapins who blew a second-half lead this time and relinquished control to the Gamecocks late in the game.
This is the second time in the last three tournaments that South Carolina has bounced Maryland, and both were competitive, back-and-forth matchups. A bit of a postseason rivalry has been formed between these two prestigious programs as a result, but the Terrapins are yet to get the better of the Gamecocks.
While some felt that the officiating was a bit unfair, the bulk of Maryland's issues came from their inability to stop one of South Carolina's lesser-known players.
Maryland had no answer for South Carolina's MiLaysia Fulwiley in Sweet 16
MiLaysia Fulwiley, a sophomore guard from Columbia, South Carolina, had her second-highest scoring output of the season on Friday, scoring 23 points in just 21 minutes for the Gamecocks.
Fulwiley has not started a game all season but has been an integral part of the lineup, contributing 12.1 points per game en route to the SEC Sixth Player of the Year Award and All-SEC honors.
Maryland allowed her to attack at will and take shots that were simply too easy, as she shot far above her season field goal percentage. She also scored 11 of her points in the fourth quarter, which was devastating for the Terrapins as they attempted to mount a comeback late in the game.
Now, South Carolina will advance to the Elite 8 to take on the No. 2 seed Duke Blue Devils while, once again, the Terrapins' season ends before the Final Four for the 10th straight season.