No. 3 Maryland 79, UCLA 75

11/25/2007 7:57 PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) -Maryland caught a glimpse of its past in the present UCLA team. Then the Terrapins made sure the young Bruins didn't get too proud, too soon.

Kristi Toliver hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points, and No. 3 Maryland overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to beat UCLA 79-75 on Sunday.

``We played great down the stretch,'' Toliver said. ``We showed a lot of composure.''

Marissa Coleman had 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for Maryland (8-0), which needed a 14-0 run to retake a lead it held the entire first half and hold off UCLA, which started three freshman and a sophomore.

It was the closest result so far for the Terrapins, who have already defeated three ranked opponents by double figures.

``They reminded me of us two years ago,'' Maryland senior Crystal Langhorne said. ``Their freshmen played as hard as they could.''

Maryland won the national title two years ago. UCLA senior Lindsey Pluimer was proud of the way UCLA pushed Maryland to its limits.

``Its hard losing this game because we fought out there but we have to learn from it,'' said Pluimer, who led UCLA with 17 points and had four rebounds and three steals but made just six of 15 shots.

UCLA coach Kathy Olivier thought her team's defensive intensity lulled down the stretch, allowing Maryland to storm back. She also felt her team didn't take full advantage of its lead, taking some poor shots and not putting together strong possessions.

``Down the stretch, their experience showed in a big, big way,'' Olivier said. ``We needed to take good shots, not quick shots and use the clock. We had some good looks but they didn't go in for us.''

UCLA made just one of 11 field goals during the final seven minutes of the game. The cold streak helped Maryland overcome 25 turnovers.

Led by Toliver, Maryland made nine 3-pointers and shot nearly 53 percent from the field. Maryland outrebounded UCLA 42-33, but the Bruins (3-1) scored more points in the paint and had more second-chance points.

Laura Harper had 12 points and nine rebounds while Crystal Langhorne had 12 points but also seven turnovers for Maryland. Marah Strickland finished with nine points and nine rebounds.

Maryland didn't commit any of its turnovers during the final four minutes of the game.

``It shows the character of this team,'' Coleman said. ``We worked hard and close games like this will test us in the long run.''

Doreena Campbell added 15 points for UCLA while center Regina Rogers added 10 points.

``We saw what can happen if you let up on defense,'' Campbell said.

UCLA rallied from a 35-28 halftime deficit and took its first lead, 48-46, on Pluimer's layup with 13:31 left.

``Their guards are extremely physical,'' Toliver said. ``They played great pressure defense and really pressured the ball. It was just a matter of overcoming that to get the ball in the basket.''

Maryland coach Brenda Frese was not in attendance. Frese is pregnant with twins and, based on medical advice, didn't take the trip to California for Maryland's non-conference games at UC Santa Barbara and UCLA.