After Maryland’s loss to No. 2 Ohio State, coach Brenda Frese talked about how the team couldn’t have any more no-shows the rest of the season. That didn’t happen in the Terps’ home finale.
Maryland women’s basketball used an all-around performance against Wisconsin. Four different Terps scored in double figures, with another two scoring at least seven points. The Terps jumped out to an early lead and were in control the rest of the way, comfortably defeating the Badgers, 79-63.
The win was needed for Maryland (17-11, 9-8 Big Ten) as it remained steady in the Big Ten standings. The Terps finished the home slate with a 12-3 record and the month of February with a 5-2 record.
“I thought the effort was there for 40 [minutes],” Frese said. “I thought on both ends of the floor they were trying to play hard.”
Maryland’s defense came out tough to start, forcing five early turnovers that took Wisconsin (13-14, 6-11 Big Ten) out of its offensive rhythm. The Terps’ offense hit a cold spurt after a 5-7 start from the field, missing their next six shots. But the unit regrouped quickly, not letting the Badgers close the gap as Maryland’s defense remained strong.
McDaniel put on a show in the first quarter to pace the Terps’ offense — the guard shot 4-4 from the field and hit two 3-pointers, including one off a kick-out and extra pass. A tough step back jumper on the right side of the basket courtesy of McDaniel pushed Maryland’s lead to 17-8 as part of a 5-0 personal run that restarted the Terps’ unit.
Maryland had its way offensively over the first 20 minutes, utilizing multiple kick outs and extra passes to find open looks. The Terps shot 5-10 from beyond the arc in the first half.
Maryland dominated Wisconsin, using a 9-0 run in the middle of the second quarter to begin pulling away from the Badgers. The Terps did the bulk of the second quarter damage from the charity stripe, connecting on all 12 of their free throws.
Freshman Emily Fisher contributed with a fastbreak layup off one of Wisconsin’s 13 first-half turnovers, two of her six points at the break. The Terps made use of their extra possessions, turning the Badgers’ miscues into 17 points.
Maryland held Wisconsin scoreless for stretches of four-and-a-half minutes in the first quarter and two minutes throughout the second quarter to really minimize the Badgers’ offense in the first half.
“I love our intensity from the tip, forcing 13 turnovers in the first half and making Wisconsin have to work for everything,” Frese said.
The Terps’ third quarter materialized as Wisconsin stormed back, cutting Maryland’s lead down to eight at 52-44 at the conclusion of the period. The Badgers were efficient in the frame, shooting 53.8 percent from the field and made 8-9 free throws as their offense scored more in the quarter than they did in the first half.
The fourth quarter became tighter than expected with Maryland trying to withhold a six-point lead and avoid a bad loss that would drop it down further in conference standings.
The Terps’ offense slugged early in the frame, but they attacked the paint and drew contact to get their points. McDaniel and Shyanne Sellers each capitalized on those trips to the line, both knocking down a pair of free throws over the first four minutes of the period.
“Just being aggressive, “Sellers said. “We knew we weren’t going to let the game get away from us.”
Then Sellers and McDaniel each got a basket to fall, pushing Maryland’s lead back up to six. The duo’s early scoring seemed to jumpstart the rest of the team, as more players rejoined the scoring effort with Brinae Alexander adding a clutch three and Allie Kubek dominating in the paint.
The Terps’ offense saved their best quarter for the end, keeping them in control to secure the win.
