Maryland women’s basketball mounts improbable comeback in 100-99 win over Minnesota

Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Miles/Maryland Athletics

In a double overtime thriller, No. 7 Maryland women’s basketball extended its undefeated streak to 11 games with an incredible 100-99 win at Minnesota to open Big Ten play.

The Terps prevailed in their closes matchup of the season, which featured 16 lead changes and 13 ties. 

Shortly before the game, the Terps were rocked by the news of senior guard Kaylene Smikle’s season-ending knee surgery. This is a devastating loss for the team as Smikle had been averaging 13.1 points per game, second-highest on the team.

Entering the game, it was uncertain who, if anyone, would step up to fill the void left by Smikle’s injury. Senior Saylor Poffenbarger answered the call. The guard was the team’s first option as they took back the lead in the fourth. She led the Terps with a career-high 30 points along with 10 rebounds. 

An incredible finish to the first overtime period saw senior guard Yarden Garzon tie the game with five points in seven seconds. 

Garzon knocked down a long three-pointer with 13 seconds on the clock to cut the deficit to two points. The Terps’ full-court press then pinned Gophers guard Tori McKinney in the corner and forced her to step out of bounds. Then, with the game on the line, Garzon stepped up again to hit a hanging layup, tying the game at 84.

Minnesota seemed to be in control in double overtime, leading by 99-90. That was until the Terps pulled off a shocking 8-0 run over the span of nine seconds to pull the game into striking distance. 

An Oluchi Okananwa steal into a layup and a foul brought the Terps within one. On the next possession, a Gophers miscommunication led to Amaya Battle’s pass sailing out of bounds. The Terps then looked one more time to the hero of the day, Saylor Poffenbarger, who converted at the rim to give the Terps the win.

Maryland imposed its will early in the game, pushing the pace in transition and keeping up its signature defensive pressure, leaving  Minnesota struggling to find quality shots.

The Terps were plagued by turnovers throughout the first quarter, which prevented them from pulling away. Coupled with Maryland’s 1-for-11 shooting stretch at the end of the first quarter, the Gophers kept within one heading into the second quarter.

Maryland’s sloppy play continued to trouble them through the second quarter as its turnovers and rebounding issues paved the way for a Minnesota 17-0 run that rallied the crowd at Williams Arena and sent the Gophers into halftime with a 14-point lead. 

Minnesota’s discipline was a difference maker. The Gophers did not allow the Terps to get to the free-throw line once in the first half, a stark contrast to Minnesota’s seven attempts.

Freshman guard and Minneapolis native Addi Mack injected life into the Terps coming out of the half. She led fastbreak attacks that didn’t allow Minnesota’s defense to settle in, setting the tone for a Terps comeback.

The Terps dominated down the stretch in the third. Their suffocating perimeter defense held Minnesota to 1-for-15 shooting to close the quarter. 

Junior Forward Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu made her presence felt on the defensive end, leading the Terps in blocks and steals. She led crucial defensive stops to kill any momentum that Minnesota tried to gain.

The chaotic end to the fourth quarter saw neither team able to take the lead in the last minute despite both teams getting open looks. 

In the Terps conference opener, and one of the few instances of true adversity they’ve faced this season, they proved they can win close games.