Short-handed No. 8 Maryland overcomes Wisconsin 83-68

Photo courtesy of University of Maryland Athletics

Madison, WI – Serah Williams ties the score for Wisconsin (10-7, 1-5 B1G Ten) early in the fourth quarter, with the chance to pull off a huge upset against No. 8 Maryland (15-1, 5-1 B1G Ten) team who they came in 0-13 all-time against. 

However, a short-handed Terps roster did not let this happen, outscoring the Badgers 21-8 in the fourth quarter to grab a 15-point win. 

“We figured today would be a battle with us losing two starters,” said head coach Brenda Frese. “This group found a way to win. Sometimes, that’s what it takes on the road.” 

After suffering its first loss of the season to No. 4 USC on Wednesday, Maryland looked to bounce back against Wisconsin.

This game would not come easy, as the Terps came in short-handed as starting guard Sarah Te-Biasu (ankle) and forward Saylor Poffenbarger (illness) were ruled out. In their place, the Terps inserted Allie Kubek and gave Bri McDaniel into the starting lineup. 

Halfway through the first, it was noticeable Maryland was down two starters, as back-to-back threes from Wisconsin guard Lily Krahn tied up at 10. 

However, the Terps controlled the rest of the first quarter, outscoring the Badgers 10-3 to take a seven-point lead into the second. 

After a long scoring drought in the first, the Badgers three late in the first created some momentum, scoring on each of its first five possessions to start the second quarter to cut the deficit to 22-20. 

With two players out for Maryland, it left room for opportunity. Freshman Ava Mckennie put the Terps up seven with a layup, in her first action since January 2 against Rutgers.

Wisconsin’s offensive explosion continued however with a mid-range jumper followed by a three, cutting the deficit to two, forcing a timeout by the Terps. 

The Terps came out energized after the timeout scoring the ball and forcing turnovers on a quick 8-1 run. 

Wisconsin answered with another made three by Krahn, but McDaniel answered with a three of her own – only the Terps’ second three of the game – to keep its nine-point lead. 

Wisconsin ended the quarter on a high note again, scoring the final points, and cutting the deficit to 45-38 going into halftime. 

Similarly to the second, Wisconsin came out firing to begin the third quarter. The Badgers took advantage of Maryland’s sloppy play and uncharacteristic poor defense, going on an 11-2 run to take its first lead since 4-2 in the first quarter. 

Out of the timeout, the Terps got a bucket on a beautifully designed inbound play leading to a Kaylene Smikle layup, but Wisconsin answered right back with a Krahn three to break the tie. 

On the next possession, the Terps defense fell asleep, leaving Williams wide open under the basket, where she was fouled. She made one of two free throws, allowing the Terps to get back into it and tie the score. 

Maryland continued to frustrate the Badgers, with Williams committing an offensive foul on the in-bounds pass out the media timeout, leading to Maryland retaking the lead on a layup by Christina Dalce. 

After extending the run to 9-0, Wisconsin’s offense came back to life. The Badgers scored on their following three possessions to tie the game, not letting Maryland ever pull away. 

Dalce’s short jumper in the final minute gave the Terps a 62-60 lead to end the third. 

For the fourth straight quarter, Wisconsin was the first to score, tying the game once again. This tie would not last though, as Maryland’s offense scored on four straight possessions during its 8-2 run, forcing a Badgers timeout. 

“I love [how] every time they would swing the momentum, it didn’t impact us,” Frese said. “We would be able to go back down, and get a score, get a stop. Just that resiliency, I thought, was massive.” 

While the defense struggled for much of the game, Maryland continued to shut down the Badgers in the fourth, fueling the Terps’ 14-0 run to put the game out of reach, ultimately winning 83-68. 

“This team guards,” Frese said. “The amount of minutes the guards had to play, and to hold them to eight points in that fourth quarter, I think it speaks volumes of the level of defensive intensity that they knew they needed.” 

Maryland returns home to play Minnesota on Tuesday at 7 p.m.