Maryland women’s basketball’s lackluster showing results in 112-76 loss to Penn State

Ashley Owusu pushed down the court with less than a minute remaining in the first half. The guard switched to her right hand and drove into the paint with Lavender Briggs guarding her while off-balance.

Owusu connected on her driving bucket to put the Nittany Lions ahead by double digits while absorbing the contact from Briggs’ red jersey — the same jersey Owusu wore two seasons ago for Maryland before transferring away from the program.

Owusu scored 16 points against her former team as Penn State (15-5, 6-3 Big Ten) defeated Maryland, 112-76. The loss marked the second straight for the Terps (12-8, 4-5 Big Ten) as they fell below .500 in Big Ten play for the first time this season.

“We had no answer with whichever defense we were in,” coach Brenda Frese said. “Credit to them, I thought it was probably one of the best games I’ve seen them play.”

Owusu transferred to Virginia Tech following her junior year with Maryland in 2022 after being named the nation’s top shooting guard with the Ann Meyers Drysdale award. She spent one year with the Hokies before transferring to Penn State for her final collegiate season. 

The fifth-year guard recorded 12 of her 16 points in the second quarter, including the and-one in the final minute to go-ahead 45-32 at halftime. 

“She’s a really tough matchup for everyone and she’s an exceptional player and played like I expected her to play,” Frese said. 

Offensive struggles appeared early for the Terps as Maryland opened the game to seven unanswered points from Penn State. The Nittany Lions grew a nine-point lead by the end of the frame, connecting on 47.1 percent of attempts while the Terps shot a measly 4-12 from the field. Fifth-year guard Makenna Marisa led Penn State early with nine of her 24 points in the first quarter. 

The Terps couldn’t close either quarters in the first half without a Nittany Lions run. Penn State finished the first frame by connecting on four of its last five field goal attempts while holding Maryland scoreless for the final 2:05. The Nittany Lions then closed the second quarter with seven unanswered points. 

The Terps missed five of their six free throws in the first half as they struggled from the stripe — both Shyanne Sellers and Bri McDaniel missed a pair of attempts. Meanwhile Penn State connected on nine of its ten first-half attempts.

Sellers left the game late in the second quarter after injuring her knee in a collision with Chanaya Pinto. Sellers did not return to the game. 

“When we lose her it’s tough, but it’s important for us to keep playing for her and hopefully she’ll be back,” Jakia Brown-Turner said.

The third quarter wasn’t any better for the Terps, who were outscored 34-28 — the fifth straight loss for Maryland where it’s been outscored in the frame. The Nittany Lions shopt a blistering 70.6 percent from the field in the quarter. 

Penn State could not be stopped behind the arc, registering 16 three pointers and shooting 61.5% from three for the game. 

Brown-Turner led the Terps with 21 points in the game. Brown-Turner has averaged 19.2 points per game in her past five outings — one of the bright spots in Maryland’s recent 2-3 stretch. 

The Terps return to College Park following the loss. Their schedule doesn’t get easier with ranked matchups next week against No. 14 Indiana and No. 3 Iowa at the Xfinity Center. 

“[It] doesn’t get any easier,” Frese said. “We’re going to have to move on to the next and put a great plan together as we go back home.”