Dec. 14, 1997

Maryland Captures Dial Soap Classic

COLLEGE PARK, MD-- The University of Maryland women's basketball team captured the Dial Soap Classic this afternoon with a 59-48 win over the Howard Lady Bison at Cole Field House. With the win, Maryland improves to 7-2 on the season and Howard falls to 3-2. Maryland has won seven consecutive games.

Maryland shot 54.5 percent in the second-half and went on a 11-0 run midway through the second period to take a 48-38 lead after holding a slim 25-24 half-time advantage. Howard was unable to close the double-digit deficit in the remaining six minutes.

Kalisa Davis led the Terps with a game-high 19 points and Stephanie Cross added 16. Tournament MVP Sonia Chase recorded her second double-double performance of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

"Our three seniors (Chase, Davis and Cross) all made huge contributions towards winning this tournament," said Maryland head coach Chris Weller. "We are proud to have been able to win our second tournament of the year." The Terps defeated Holy Cross, 82-74, to capture the ECAC Holiday Festival late last month.

Chanell Washington led Howard with 13 points and Alisha Hill grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

"We are working and teaching at the same time right now," said Howard head coach Sanya Tyler. "This is only our fifth game and we will go back to work on some fundamentals."

In the consolation game, Hartford (2-4) defeated Mississippi Valley State (3-4), 62-60. Tracy Stolle led Hartford with 14 points and Sherry Surney led MVSU with 19.

Dial Soap Classic All-Tournament Team

Sherry Surney - Mississippi Valley State (36 points, 12 rebounds)
Eryn Ivnik - Hartford (32 points, 14 rebounds)
Alisha Hill - Howard (31 points, 31 rebounds)
Stephanie Cross - Maryland (33 points, 14 rebounds)
Kalisa Davis - Maryland (33 points, 15 rebounds)
MVP - Sonia Chase - Maryland (30 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 7 steals).