Ole Miss Stuns Maryland, Knocks Champs Out of Tournament

The women's NCAA Tournament had been full of upsets for the first three days. Tuesday night was no different. We now know there will be a new national champion in Division I women's basketball.

7 seed Ole Miss stunned the defending champion Maryland Terrapins 89-78. The second-round loss ties two other teams for the shortest tournament exit by a defending national champion in the history of the women's tournament. Mississippi, on the other hand, is heading to their first Sweet 16 since 1992.

Ole Miss made it look rather easy. They took Maryland out of their game plan from the beginning and the champs could never get their bearings. The Terrapins led early 6-4 with 17 minutes to go in the first half. That would be the last time the champs would have the lead. Mississippi went on a 14-0 run and never looked back. The Rebels dominated the first half and went into halftime with a 47-30 lead.

Things didn't get any easier for Maryland in the second half. Ole Miss eventually extended their lead to 20 before the champions made their first run. Maryland would put together a 15-5 run and score nine straight, cutting the lead to six. Mississippi, though, was too much for Maryland, and the champs couldn't cut the deficit anymore.

Armintie Price led the Rebels to victory with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Ashley Awkward scored 22 points and had four assists. Alliesha Easley scored 16 points, including four buckets beyond the arc. As a team Ole Miss went and incredible 24 of 27 from the free throw line.

Kristi Toliver led the way for Maryland. She scored 24 points in the losing effort. Marissa Coleman had a double-double, adding 12 rebounds to her 20 points. Crystal Langhorne scored 14 points and had eight rebounds. As a team the Terps were their own worst enemy. They turned the ball over 29 times, 20 in the first half, and they went six for 25 from three-point land.