Maryland women’s basketball stifles Delaware State in 91-21 win

Photo courtesy of Grayson Belanger/Maryland Athletics

Maryland women’s basketball has a clear identity this season: defense. All season, the Terps have relied on elite rebounding and quick hands on defense to completely disrupt opposing offenses. Wednesday’s matchup against Delaware State was no different.

Maryland’s swarming defense squashed the Hornets 91-21 in its largest win of the season. The Terps forced 30 turnovers and, the Hornets’ 21 points are the fewest points allowed in a single game in Maryland program history.

Delaware State was held to a dismal 18.4% from the field and made just seven field goals all game. The Hornets scored single digits in every single quarter, and Maryland outscored them in the first quarter alone.

The Terps were finally able to control the turnovers as they had just nine, compared to their season average of 17. Every Terps starter scored in double digits to contribute to their 70 point win.

“The mentality was sensational,” coach Brenda Frese said. “40 great minutes where we went hard … we set the tone in everything that we did.”

Maryland (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten) began the game with a rare zone defense look paired with half court press, a rarity this season. Delaware State’s (3-7) offense was unprepared and never found an offensive rhythm.

The Terps finished the game +25 in rebounding, and with 21 fewer turnovers than Delaware State. This has been a theme all year for the Terps, as they entered the game fifth in the nation in rebounding margin and forcing 21.2 turnovers per game. The Hornets were held to a minute 18.4% shooting from the field and didn’t lead the entire game.

Maryland lived in the passing lane all night long, which helped spark  its transition offense. The Terps had 45 points off turnovers, with 25 coming in the first half. Redshirt junior forward Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu led the way with four steals.

In the absence of starters Addi Mack and Saylor Poffenbarger, Maryland head coach Brenda Frese was forced to scheme a unique starting five for the Terps. Ozzy-Momodu and redshirt freshman guard Kyndal Walker got the nod from Frese and delivered. 

Ozzy-Momodu recorded her first double-double this season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. She was a force in the paint offensively, grabbing four offensive rebounds. Walker pitched in with 13 points. Along with her typical strong defensive presence, Walker helped lead the Terps’ offense in a solid shooting night. Maryland shot over 50% from the field for a sixth game this season.

“Every game is a chance to go out there and contribute to winning,” Walker said. “So for me, it’s just any way that I can help the team.”

The most impressive Terp offensively, though, was senior guard Yarden Garzon. After scoring 15 points against Minnesota, Garzon followed with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, all in the first half. She has made a three in every game for the Terps this season and now has four games with at least three made three-pointers. 

“The coaches challenge me today to show up and lead the team,” Garzon said. “I know the coaches have my back and I know what they need from me so that makes it a little bit easier.”

Given the multitude of injuries for Maryland, some usual bench players made an impact in valuable minutes for Frese. Redshirt freshman forward Breanna Williams put together another solid performance with nine points and six rebounds in 18 minutes, a season high.

Forward Marya Boiko also had a season high in minutes with 27. The freshman finished with eight points and seven rebounds. She led the bench in +/- at +49. 

Freshman forward Nicole Fritea also played a season high in minutes in her sixth appearance of the season. She tied her career high with three points on 50% shooting.

“We are banged up right now,” Frese said. “Being able to have positive productive minutes in every moment and opportunity we get is big.”

The Terps have eight days of rest between now and their next game, a home matchup against Central Connecticut State. For a team hit with the injury bug this season, the extended break could be helpful.