Poor shooting plagues No. 5-seeded Maryland women’s basketball in 74-66 loss to No. 4-seeded North Carolina in Round of 32

Photo by Grayson Belanger/Maryland Terrapins. Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics.

Maryland women’s basketball entered the fourth quarter tied at 50.

The Terps had struggled to connect on 3-point shots and free throw attempts all game. Those struggles continued in the fourth quarter as Maryland finished the game shooting 13 percent from three and converted on just under 55 percent of its free throws. 

The result was an abrupt end to Maryland’s season, dropping its second-round matchup to North Carolina 74-66 at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill. The loss marks just the second time in the past six seasons that Maryland failed to reach the Sweet 16.

The Terps (24-9) had their best chance to mount a comeback when North Carolina senior guard Indya Nivar missed two free throws with just under three minutes left. 

Maryland only trailed 63-60, but senior guard Yarden Garzon could not convert her attempt at the rim on the other end. 

A dagger three from Tar Heel freshman guard Nyla Brooks extended Maryland’s deficit to six not long after as North Carolina (28-7) pulled away. Maryland only hit two shots in the last three minutes of the game.

“I felt like it was there for the taking,” head coach Brenda Frese said. “We didn’t manage enough plays to be able to go take it.”

Junior guard Oluchi Okananwa led the way for the Terps offensively with 21 points. She consistently pushed Maryland’s offense on fast breaks and took on the Tar Heels’ toughest perimeter matchups on the other side of the ball.

Her performance did not come without hiccups. Frese spent nearly a minute giving Okananwa a passionate talking to on the sideline during a game break in the third quarter when her team was down. 

“I love to be coached hard, and that’s what she does with me every single day,” Okananwa said. “That was a regroup moment for myself, and her telling me she believed in me.”

The talk worked as she scored on the ensuing possession, and later scored six of Maryland’s 16 fourth-quarter points.

Despite her high point total at the end of the game, Okananwa struggled to find consistency shooting from the free-throw line. Her slashing playstyle earned her 11 chances from the stripe, but she converted only three. Those struggles also applied to the rest of Maryland’s roster as the Terps converted 17 of 31 free throws.

Shooting struggles were universal for a Maryland team that combined to shoot 23-for-71 from the field and 3-for-23 on 3-point shots.

Saylor Poffenbarger highlighted Maryland’s 3-point shooting struggles, missing all 10 of her shots with several shots swirling around the rim before falling out. 

Addi Mack and Kyndal Walker, Maryland’s freshman guards, combined for 23 points on 18 shots and were tasked with a large portion of the weight of initiating the offense in the halfcourt. 

While Maryland’s season ended earlier than prior seasons, the Terps overcame a wealth of adversity and injuries. With a large portion of the roster eligible to return next season, there is a lot to build on for the program.