Maryland ends its three-game skid with 82-73 win over Penn State

Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics

After taking a 20-point lead midway through the third quarter, Maryland struggled to close out another conference opponent. Penn State got within two with 4:24 to play, looking to pull off a shocking comeback. 

After suffering three straight losses to top-10 teams, No. 14 Maryland women’s basketball (17-4, 7-3 Big Ten) defeated Penn State (10-12, 1-10) 82-73 in just the second matchup in Rec Hall since 1996.

“There’s no difference,” Sarah Te-Biasu said. “It’s the same thing. You have to adjust and play hard in any arena.”

The Terps came out firing, scoring on their first three possessions. Christina Dalce got the Terps on the board with a layup, while Te-Biasu and Saylor Poffenbarger knocked down back-to-back threes to jump out to an 8-0 lead, forcing a Nittany Lions timeout. 

Penn State was able to get on the board, but turnovers and two traveling violations continued to plague them early, as the Terps looked to get back on track, 

Te-Biasu knocked down her second three-pointer, followed by back-to-back scoring possessions by Maryland’s leading scorer, Kaylene Smikle. 

As the Nittany Lions continued to struggle, an 8-0 run by the Terps extended the lead to 17. 

Gracie Merkle knocked down a free throw as Penn State cut the deficit to 16 – 23-7 – at the end of the first quarter.

“We really set the tone, forcing nine turnovers in the first quarter,” head coach Brenda Frese said. “And then, a really nice job knocking down shots and getting everyone involved.” 

Merkle continued to be Penn State’s only source of offense in the second, scoring 13 of the first 15 points to keep the Nittany Lions within striking distance.  

After a runner by Jayla Orden, Merkle’s inside presence continued to be an issue for the Terps, similar to its previous matchup against UCLA. 

While Penn State’s offense finally woke up, the Terps’ offense continued its efficient play, holding a 13-point lead going into the media timeout. 

After getting within 11, Te-Biasu stayed hot from three-point range, knocking down her third of the first half to extend the lead back to 16. 

After two more baskets from Dalce and Poffenbarger, Maryland took a 17-point lead – 41-24 – into the break. 

After not scoring in the first half and missing the previous two matchups, Shyanne Sellers got on the board early with five points in the third quarter. 

While Sellers got it going for the Terps, Penn State’s offense got hot, making five of six field goals. Despite this, Maryland continued to dominate, extending the lead to 20 on Te-Biasu’s fourth three, marking her highest-scoring affair of the season with 14. 

While the Terps’ traveling issues remained relevant, the Nittany Lions did not go away. They spread out the scoring on their 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 11. 

However, Te-Biasu knocked down two free throws with 0.3 left to give the Terps a 13-point lead – 62-49 – heading into the fourth.    

The Nittany Lion’s momentum continued into the fourth, scoring the first four points of the quarter to get within 9 with 8:29 to go. The run continued to 8-0 after a bad pass by Sellers to get the Nittany Lions within five. 

With the Terps’ offense struggling, Te-Biasu stayed consistent, making a driving layup to get the Terps back up seven. 

Despite this, Penn State answered, getting within two after a three-pointer by Gabby Elliot. 

However, an unlikely face in Emily Fisher drove down the court for a layup to put the Terps back up four. 

“We needed another guard to be able to get open and work,” Frese said. “We know that Emily will what; she’ll work, give us another ball handler, and make good decisions. 

After Penn State got back within two, Maryland answered with a 7-0 run to go up nine with 2:35 to go. 

Elliot answered with an and-one for Penn State, for three of her 23-second half-points to get within six, but buckets by Smikle and Te-Biasu put the Terps back up ten. 

The Terps closed it out in the final minute, giving them a nine-point victory to end the three-game skid.