GREENSBORO, N.C. — Another Atlantic Coast Conference tournament was about to end in disappointingly early fashion for senior Kristi Toliver. Then the Maryland star did what she does best: Hit the big shots when the Terrapins needed them most.

Toliver scored 10 of her 15 points in the second half, and No. 4 Maryland rallied from 12 points down to beat Wake Forest, 72-70, yesterday in the ACC quarterfinals.

League rookie of the year Lynetta Kizer had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the top-seeded Lady Terrapins (26-4), the regular-season co-champs who took a successful first step toward claiming the conference title that has eluded Toliver and Marissa Coleman during their first three seasons.

"The one thing we haven't accomplished since we've been here — we've got the national championship and just recently got the regular season" title, Coleman said. "So this is the last thing on the agenda."

Maryland held the Demon Deacons without a field goal for 9 minutes during a 19-2 run late in the game, won its 10th straight and advanced to the semifinals against No. 11 North Carolina.

Alex Tchangoue and Corinne Groves each scored 16 points for Wake Forest (19-11).

NO. 6 AUBURN 71, MISSISSIPPI 65

Senior DeWanna Bonner scored 32 points, becoming the school's career leader with 2,084 points, helping the Lady Tigers (28-2) beat the Rebels (17-14) and advance to the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament at North Little Rock, Ark.

NO. 8 DUKE 76, NO. 24 VIRGINIA 53

Abby Waner scored 16 points and the Blue Devils raced to a 42-25 halftime lead and never looked back in beating the Cavaliers to reach the semifinals of the ACC tournament at Greensboro, N.C.

NO. 11 NORTH CAROLINA 74, CLEMSON 55

Jessica Breland had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and the Tar Heels (26-5) opened the second half with a 16-2 burst for a 47-31 lead in beating the Tigers (14-17) in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament at Greensboro, N.C.

NO. 12 FLORIDA STATE 83, BOSTON COLLEGE 71

Tanae Davis-Cain and Mara Freshour scored 20 points each to power the Seminoles (25-6) past the Eagles (20-11) and into the semifinals of the ACC tournament at Greensboro, N.C.

NO. 12 OHIO STATE 70, ILLINOIS 53

Two-time Big Ten player of the year Jantel Lavender had 22 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Buckeyes (25-5) past the Illini (10-21) and into the conference tournament semfinals at Indianapolis.

NO. 19 TENNESSEE 71, NO. 21 FLORIDA 67

Angie Bjorklund scored 25 points and the Lady Vols (22-9) made a 38-21 halftime lead stand in holding off the Gators (23-7) to advance to the semifinals of the SEC tournament at North Little Rock, Ark.

NO. 22 VANDERBILT 69, GEORGIA 61

Christina Wirth scored 23 points, including two free throws for a 67-61 lead with 31.3 seconds left, and the Commodores (22-8) committed just three turnovers in a victory over the Bulldogs (18-13) in the SEC quarterfinals at North Little Rock, Ark.