March 23, 2000 5:29 PM Sportsticker

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland -- Maryland women's basketball coach Chris Weller, who completed her 25th year at the school, today had her contract extended through the 2000-01 season.

Weller guided the Terrapins to a 16-15 record and a berth in the quarterfinals of the Women's National Invitation Tournament after going just 6-21 last season.

Maryland emerged as an contender in the Atlantic Coast Conference, joining North Carolina as the only schools to beat Virginia and Duke, the top two teams in the ACC.

The Terrapins posted a 63-46 victory over Georgetown in the first round of the NIT before losing at Virginia Tech, 68-60, in overtime.

"I am so proud of our young team and so happy that we were able to receive the experience from playing in the NIT," Weller said. "That was the best thing that happened to this team. We learned that we can win against good teams and we know that we're ready to move forward again next season."

Weller has a 469-257 mark at Maryland, leading the Terrapins to eight ACC titles and three Final Four appearances. Maryland loses just one senior, Tiffany Brown.

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