No. 9 Maryland women’s basketball battles, falls to No. 6 Indiana on the road, 68-61

Diamond Miller had just gone coast to coast in transition, converting on a layup to bring Maryland within five points with two minutes to go. The ensuing possession, Maryland locked in defensively and when Grace Berger drove with under five seconds on the shot clock it looked like the Terps would get a key stop.

However, Brinae Alexander lost Yarden Garzon, Indiana’s best perimeter shooter wide open in the corner, and Garzon drilled the three ball, putting the lead at 8 with 92 seconds remaining.

No. 6 Indiana took down No. 9 Maryland in a highly anticipated top ten matchup that went down to the closing minutes, as the Terps fell on the road, 68-61. 

Miller finished with 19 points and six rebounds to pace Maryland, while Alexander chipped in 15 points off the bench. Sydney Parrish led the Hoosiers offensively, scoring 18 points in the home win. Mackenzie Holmes added 15 points and 10 rebounds, dominating on the boards for much of the night.

The first quarter did not disappoint between the two top ten foes. The teams exchanged leads six different times in the first quarter, as both sides looked to establish themselves in the contest.

Each team shot it well beyond the arc in the opening quarter. Maryland shot 66% from deep to start the game, while Indiana shot 40% from range, respectively. Parrish knocked down a couple triples for the Hoosiers, frustrating Brenda Frese, as she called a timeout to stem Indiana’s early momentum.

Indiana also found an early advantage on the boards. Despite Frese emphasizing a strong team effort in defending the paint, Holmes still made an impact from the start, grabbing three offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone.

However, hot Maryland shooting and Hoosiers’ turnovers let Maryland regain the lead 20-19 to close the first quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same early on, with each team exploiting the others defensive weaknesses. Indiana used Holmes as a facilitator, drawing double teams and finding Parrish for two threes, while Maryland forced Indiana turnovers and got out in transition.

Frese was forced to call another timeout after Indiana scored three straight baskets, using various high-low actions to get open looks and grab a 29-23 advantage. 

Alexander again provided a spark, coming off the bench to reignite the Terps’ offense. The Vanderbilt transfer scored consecutive baskets to end the Maryland scoring drought.

Maryland struggled on offense much more in the second quarter, going on a near five minute scoring drought. The Terps only shot 27% from three in the quarter, and only seven total points.

Alexander saved what could have been a disastrous quarter for Maryland, as they trailed 35-27 entering halftime. The Hoosiers dominated inside in the opening half, as they outscored Maryland 20-6 in paint points.

In the second half, Maryland continued to struggle from the field. At the first timeout of the half, the Terps were shooting just 14% from the field.

Frese made a key lineup adjustment to bring the game within five points with 2:15 in the third quarter. By playing a small-ball lineup with Miller at center, Maryland forced four Indiana turnovers in two minutes.

A Sellers and-one layup brought Maryland within six, down 48-42 at the end of the third quarter. 

Heading into the final quarter, the Terps missed consecutive looks that would have brought the game within four. But, Indiana turned it over on two straight possessions, and Miller made a free-throw to cut the Hoosiers lead to three.

A key turning point occurred at the 7:50 mark, when Alexander drew a Parrish charge, which was her fourth foul, putting Parrish in foul trouble down the stretch. 

After Maryland tied the game at 50, Indiana responded with a 7-0 run, punctuated by a Berger pull-up jumper to take back the lead in a hurry.

Berger had nine points and eight assists, with Holmes adding on 15 points and ten rebounds on the night.

In the closing minutes, Indiana went to its two stars and they delivered. Berger and Holmes touched the ball consistently down the stretch and capitalized, running the Hoosiers’ offense and adding four late points to maintain the lead.

Maryland did not go away easily though, as Miller’s transition layup brought it  within five. But Yardon’s dagger put the game out of reach. The Terps tried to rally in the closing seconds, but Indiana hung on, stretching the lead at the free throw line to close the game.

The loss drops the Terps to 13-4 on the season and 4-2 in the Big Ten. Maryland will return to College Park to face Rutgers on Sunday.