In a thrilling NCAA tournament showdown, the Maryland Terrapins staged an incredible 17-point comeback to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide 111-108 in double overtime, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five years. This remarkable victory marks the Terrapins' second-largest comeback in tournament history, surpassed only by an 18-point rally against Texas A&M in 2012.

Maryland's head coach, Brenda Frese, described the game as a "heavyweight fight," emphasizing the efforts of both teams. "No team deserved to lose this game tonight," she stated, highlighting the competitiveness on the court.

This matchup was crucial as it was the only second-round game where the No. 4 seed utilized its home-court advantage to overcome the No. 5 seed, making it a pivotal moment in the tournament. Historically, at least one No. 4 seed has always advanced to the Sweet 16.

Frese focused on encouraging her players throughout the intense match. "I was trying to instill as much energy, positivity, and confidence into them as possible. Overtime is our time," she remarked, motivating her team to push through their exhaustion.

The Terps managed to turn their staggering halftime deficit around, entering the fourth quarter with renewed energy and determination. Guard Shyanne Sellers, who led the team with 28 points, reflected on their strategy during a crucial timeout. "We were talking about score stop score. Just get it within 10, and then before we knew it, we were right there," she recalled.

Sarah Te-Biasu played a pivotal role in the game as well, contributing 26 points, with eight of those coming at critical moments in the second overtime. "I really wanted to win," she said, showcasing the team's fierce desire to triumph. "We never gave up."

The game saw its share of chaotic moments, with multiple turnovers and fouls dominating the final quarters. Notably, Alabama's Sarah Ashlee Barker and Maryland's Te-Biasu exchanged clutch shots down the stretch. Alabama's Karly Weathers had a chance to potentially win the game with a 3-pointer but missed, driving the excitement into overtime.

In a nail-biting moment at the end of the first overtime, Alabama was awarded three free throws after Maryland fouled Barker, who confidently made all three and extended the game into double overtime. Barker finished with a record-setting 45 points for Alabama, despite the loss, reflecting on her impressive performance while expressing a desire for a win instead of individual accolades.

Maryland’s Sellers later hit two critical free throws that pushed them ahead by three points in the dying moments of the second overtime. "I just wanted to knock them down. I didn't want to give them any hope," she stated.

Despite an excellent look from Alabama for a potential game-tying 3-pointer, the shot failed to convert, allowing Maryland to break up the inbounds pass and secure their victory, marking the end of a thrilling marathon of basketball.

The combined 219 points scored in the match is the second-highest recorded in NCAA tournament history, trailing only a legendary four-overtime clash between Duke and Alabama in 1995.

Both players and coaches echoed the sentiments of the excitement and joy of participating in such a memorable game, with Te-Biasu stating, "This game was really fun. It was a blessing to be a part of this." In contrast, Barker added, "You live for these moments... I am going to walk out with my head held high. That was an amazing basketball game."

Moving forward, Maryland will face a daunting challenge as they meet top-seeded and defending champion South Carolina in the Sweet 16, a rematch of their Elite Eight face-off two years ago, where South Carolina triumphed 86-75.