Maryland women’s basketball earns a No. 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament

Maryland women’s basketball is a host for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament in College Park. The Terps earned a No. 2-seed and will play No. 15-seed Holy Cross in the first round.

“Senior night, we thought it was going to be our last game here, but we get another opportunity to play here in front of home,” senior guard/forward Faith Masonius said.

In Maryland’s last game, the Terps lost to Iowa in the Big Ten conference tournament semifinals by five in a game coach Brenda Frese said felt like an “elite eight” game.

Overall, the selection committee viewed Maryland as the No. 8 overall team out of 68 teams, making them the last two-seed. The Terps finished the season with a 25-6 record. Seven of those victories were ranked.

Maryland was a No. 4-seed in last year’s tournament, hosting the first two rounds just like it will this year. The Terps cruised in the first two rounds before falling to Stanford in the Sweet 16. They haven’t gotten past the Sweet 16 since the 2014-15 season.

The Crusaders finished the year 24-8 and won the Patriot League conference tournament. 

Holy Cross is an elite defensive team, only allowing 54.8 points per game to opponents. It also limits opponents from beyond the arc, as teams shoot just 30% from three against the Crusaders.

The Crusaders are led by junior guard Bronagh Power-Cassidy, who averages 13.9 points per game. She also shoots 40% from beyond the arc, leading Holy Cross in perimeter shooting.

If the Terps advance they would play No. 7-seed Arizona or No. 10 seed-West Virginia. Maryland also was placed in the same region as the No. 1 overall seed South Carolina gamecocks, who the Terps lost to earlier this season.

“We feel like we’re battle tested,” Frese said.