Maryland defeats No. 19 Michigan State to stay unbeaten

Photo courtesy of University of Maryland Athletics

In its first true test at home in over a month, No. 8 Maryland women’s basketball (12-0) took down No. 19 Michigan State (11-2) 72-66 behind strong guard play from Kaylene Smikle and Shyanne Sellers. 

It was Maryland’s second game against a ranked opponent this season, and head coach Brenda Frese believes it could be impactful come postseason time. 

“With 18 conference games, only one team that is a double, every game matters because you know you have the head-to-head if it comes down to a tiebreaker”, head coach Brenda Frese said. 

The Spartans took an early 5-0 lead in the first quarter as both teams struggled. However, despite starting 0-7 from the field, Maryland made its next three field goals, taking an 11-9 lead into the media timeout.  

Maryland kept its momentum going as a Sellers step-back jumper put the Terps up 20-11 to end the first quarter. The Terps’ defense held firm along with its offense, preventing the Spartans from making a field goal in the quarter’s final five minutes. 

The second quarter started as a continuation of the first. Maryland’s offense stayed hot, extending its lead to 15 points after a beautiful behind-the-back pass from Sellers on a fast break. 

Both teams traded blows to end the quarter, as Maryland took an 11-point lead – 41-30 into halftime. Despite shooting just 37.5% from the field, the Terps’ aggressiveness paid off, making 14-17 free throw attempts and holding the Spartans to a season-low 30 points in the first half. 

The Maryland bench continued its strong play this season, scoring 14 first-half points, eight of which came from Bri McDaniel. 

The second half started with sloppy play from the Terps, with four turnovers in the first two minutes, as the Spartans eventually cut the lead to four. 

The offense tried to combat the struggles, making four of five field goals to take an eight-point lead, but a Spartans step-back three by Theryn Hallock cut the deficit to five. 

After Michigan State got back within four, the Terps answered with a 7-0 run, forcing a Spartans timeout with 1:23 to play in the third. The third quarter ended 57-48 after a Michigan State layup cut the lead to nine.

The Spartans would use the shift in momentum from their third quarter timeout to get back in the game early in the fourth. Sloppy play from the Terps continued, and the Spartans took advantage after a bad pass turnover from Smikle, as Michigan State knocked down a three to tie it at 57. 

Saylor Poffenbarger’s three stopped the bleeding for the Terps, scoring their first points of the fourth halfway through the quarter. 

“Ironically, we had a whole lesson on momentum yesterday”, Poffenbarger said. “Getting the momentum back on our side was really important for us, I think that shot did that.” 

Out of the timeout, McDaniel knocked down another three to put the Terps up six. The Spartans refused to go away though, scoring four in a row to get back within two – 63-61. 

Poffenbarger continued to keep the Terps afloat with a layup, but the Spartans answered again with a long two from Hallock. After trading turnovers, Smikle’s and one put the Terps up five, but Michigan State came down with a three to get back within two. 

In the Terps’ following possession, Sellers opened the lane with a ball fake, getting her seventh assist of the night on a pass to Christina Dalce. On the other end of the floor, Dalce made another game-changing play with a block to give Maryland the ball back and ultimately seal the game. 

Next up for Maryland is a matchup against Rutgers on January 2 at the XFINITY Center. The Terps finish the easiest part of their schedule without a loss, as things only ramp up from here in Big Ten play. 

“This is where we want to be where you want to be”, said Frese. “Our players love these big moments, and fortunately for us, there’s a lot more to go.”