Tianna Hawkins
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Early in Sunday’s matchup with the Terrapins women’s basketball team, Virginia center Simone Egwu ran down the court at John Paul Jones Arena, aiming to slide into the post and give guard China Crosby an option for initiating the offense.
But as Egwu went to the post, she was met by Terps forward Tianna Hawkins, who stepped in front of Egwu with crossed arms and initiated contact. A referee was standing close by, and Hawkins was whistled for her first foul of the night just 38 seconds into the game. Right away, Hawkins was headed to the bench.
It was the beginning of Hawkins’ second subpar performance in three games. The senior finished the night with four points on 2-of-5 shooting and four rebounds in 17 foul-plagued minutes before fouling out with 3:50 remaining. Just more than a week ago, Hawkins was neutralized at No. 5 Duke, scoring six points and grabbing seven rebounds in 27 minutes.
Unlike at Duke, however, the Terps were able to overcome Hawkins’ performance. Forward Alyssa Thomas scored a game-high 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting, grabbed 13 rebounds, dished four assists, blocked two shots and notched one steal as the No. 8 Terps pulled away from Virginia for a 73-44 win.
“It was huge,” coach Brenda Frese said. “We started a little slow; to be able to have that punch from Alyssa early was key.”
For Hawkins or Thomas to have an off night while the other stars isn’t unusual for the Terps, though. In Thursday’s game against Clemson, Thomas was the one sidelined with foul trouble, and Hawkins took over the game to score 30 points and grab 12 rebounds.
Through the Terps’ 25 games this season, Hawkins has led the team in scoring 15 times, Thomas has had the team high 11 times and the duo has tied for the team lead twice. In every game except for one — Jan. 10 against Miami, when guard Chloe Pavlech scored 20 points — either Hawkins or Thomas has had at least a share of the team lead in points.
“This is what this team has done all season long,” Frese said. “Alyssa will have a night and then Tianna will have a night. They’re really unselfish. They play for each other.”
Hawkins’ void Sunday night was capably filled by the Terps’ bevy of post options. Center Alicia DeVaughn scored 14 points, her highest-scoring output in five games. Backup center Malina Howard scored 12 points — her fourth time in double figures in the past six games — and secured eight rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench. Even guard Katie Rutan pitched in down low, setting a career high with seven boards.
That was enough for the Terps to make up for Hawkins’ off night against the Cavaliers.
But at other times this year, the team hasn’t been as lucky. In two of the Terps’ four losses — at St. Joseph’s on Nov. 17 and at Duke — Hawkins totaled a combined eight points on 4-of-16 shooting and 13 rebounds. For the season, she’s averaging 18.8 points and 9.6 rebounds.
With postseason play now just weeks away, Hawkins’ play will factor in more than ever. Sure, the Terps have other options like Thomas and Rutan to pick up the slack, but Hawkins is an inside presence on both ends of the game.
In the past week, Hawkins has already bounced back once with her starring role in the Clemson game. She’ll simply have to do it again the next time out.
“I really thought she did a terrific job moving on,” Frese said Thursday. “It obviously says a lot about her to come out and give us a stat line like that. She looked like she was having fun.”
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