In a thrilling NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament second-round matchup, the No. 4 seed Maryland Terrapins overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the No. 5 seed Alabama Crimson Tide 111-108 in double overtime. The game, held on March 24, 2025, in College Park, Maryland, was marked by exceptional performances and dramatic moments that will be remembered in tournament history.
Game Summary
The Crimson Tide dominated the first half, leading by 17 points in the third quarter. However, the Terrapins initiated a comeback, narrowing the gap to nine points by the end of the third quarter. Maryland’s resilience continued into the fourth quarter, culminating in a tie at 80-80 with just over a minute remaining. Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker briefly regained the lead with a three-pointer, but Maryland’s Sarah Te-Biasu responded with a crucial three-pointer to send the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, Maryland led by three points when Barker was fouled on a three-point attempt with 0.7 seconds left. She made all three free throws, tying the game at 96-96 and forcing a second overtime. During the second overtime, Te-Biasu scored eight of her 26 points, helping Maryland secure the victory.
Key Performance
- Sarah Ashlee Barker (Alabama): Barker delivered a historic performance, scoring a career-high 45 points, setting an Alabama school record, and tying for the fourth-highest point total in NCAA Tournament history.
- Shyanne Sellers (Maryland): Sellers led the Terrapins with 28 points, playing a pivotal role in the team’s comeback.
- Sarah Te-Biasu (Maryland): Te-Biasu contributed 26 points, including eight in the second overtime, and made a critical three-pointer to tie the game in regulation.
Historical Context
This game was the first double-overtime contest in the Women’s NCAA Tournament since 2022 and featured the seventh-largest comeback in tournament history. The combined 219 points made it the second-highest-scoring game in tournament history, with Alabama also involved in the highest-scoring game, a 121-120 quadruple-overtime loss to Duke in 1995.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Maryland advances to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five years and will face No. 1 seed South Carolina. Despite the loss, Alabama concludes a successful season with a 24-9 record, marking their fourth consecutive 20-win season and their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last five years.