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Maryland women keep Big Ten title hopes alive, hold off Wisconsin, 83-77 Maryland women keep Big Ten title hopes alive, hold off Wisconsin, 83-77
(about 2 hours later)
The sixth-ranked Maryland women’s basketball team received a significant boost toward its hopes of repeating as Big Ten regular season champions when first-place Ohio State unexpectedly lost Wednesday, leaving the Terrapins a half-game from being tied atop the conference. The sixth-ranked Maryland women’s basketball team received a significant boost toward its hopes of repeating as Big Ten regular season champion when first-place Ohio State unexpectedly lost Wednesday, leaving the Terrapins a half-game from being tied atop the conference.
All that stood in Maryland’s way was Wisconsin, which staggered into Thursday night’s game at Xfinity Center having lost four in a row and 11 of 12. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Terrapins appeared well on the way to a lopsided win before a few tense moments late in a 83-77 victory in front of an announced crowd of 4,147. All that stood in Maryland’s way was Wisconsin, which staggered into Thursday night’s game at Xfinity Center having lost four in a row and 11 of 12. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Terrapins appeared well on the way to a lopsided win before a few tense moments late in an 83-77 victory in front of an announced crowd of 4,147.
“I thought Wisconsin came in and was really inspired,” Maryland Coach Brenda Frese said. “They played a complete 40-minute game. It was kind of a fragmented game. For us we’ve just got to continue to understand if we come out and play like this, moving forward it’s going to be tough.”“I thought Wisconsin came in and was really inspired,” Maryland Coach Brenda Frese said. “They played a complete 40-minute game. It was kind of a fragmented game. For us we’ve just got to continue to understand if we come out and play like this, moving forward it’s going to be tough.”
[Frese’s Terrapins ready to Play4TheCure][Frese’s Terrapins ready to Play4TheCure]
Maryland (26-3, 15-2 Big Ten) won its fifth in a row and 14 of its past 15 thanks in part to 11-for-20 three-point shooting. It was the most three-pointers for the Terrapins in a Big Ten game.Maryland (26-3, 15-2 Big Ten) won its fifth in a row and 14 of its past 15 thanks in part to 11-for-20 three-point shooting. It was the most three-pointers for the Terrapins in a Big Ten game.
The Terrapins can claim the Big Ten regular season title outright by beating Minnesota on Sunday if the fifth-ranked Buckeyes lose at No. 20 Michigan State on Saturday. Ohio State outlasted the Spartans, 85-80, in the first meeting in Columbus.The Terrapins can claim the Big Ten regular season title outright by beating Minnesota on Sunday if the fifth-ranked Buckeyes lose at No. 20 Michigan State on Saturday. Ohio State outlasted the Spartans, 85-80, in the first meeting in Columbus.
In the event of a first-place tie, Maryland and Ohio State would be co-champions, although the Buckeyes would claim the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament by virtue of a regular season sweep.In the event of a first-place tie, Maryland and Ohio State would be co-champions, although the Buckeyes would claim the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament by virtue of a regular season sweep.
The Terrapins completed their sweep of Wisconsin (7-20, 3-14) behind junior guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough’s game-high 27 points on 9-for-12 shooting, including 5 of 6 three-pointers. It was the fourth game in five with at least 21 points for Walker-Kimbrough, the Division I leader in three-point field goal percentage (.581).The Terrapins completed their sweep of Wisconsin (7-20, 3-14) behind junior guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough’s game-high 27 points on 9-for-12 shooting, including 5 of 6 three-pointers. It was the fourth game in five with at least 21 points for Walker-Kimbrough, the Division I leader in three-point field goal percentage (.581).
The NCAA record for single-season three-point field goal shooting is 57.5 percent.The NCAA record for single-season three-point field goal shooting is 57.5 percent.
Junior center Brionna Jones scored 16 of her 20 points in the second half and collected eight rebounds. Jones scored the first four points during a 10-0 run that provided Maryland with a 53-44 lead with 5 minutes 10 seconds left in the third quarter. Wisconsin Coach Bobbie Kelsey called timeout, but the Terrapins expanded the margin to 60-46 with a 7-2 push that featured another Jones layup. Junior center Brionna Jones scored 16 of her 20 points in the second half and collected eight rebounds. Jones scored the first four points during a 10-0 run that provided Maryland with a 53-44 lead with 5 minutes 10 seconds left in the third quarter. Wisconsin Coach Bobbie Kelsey called a timeout, but the Terrapins expanded the margin to 60-46 with a 7-2 push that featured another Jones layup.
The lead swelled to 21 on a pair of free throws from freshman forward Kiah Gillespie with 4:56 left in regulation, but Wisconsin scored 12 straight to stay within reach. The lead dwindled to 80-72 with 93 seconds to go, but Maryland settled the outcome thanks to a three-pointer from senior point guard Chloe Pavlech 24 seconds later.The lead swelled to 21 on a pair of free throws from freshman forward Kiah Gillespie with 4:56 left in regulation, but Wisconsin scored 12 straight to stay within reach. The lead dwindled to 80-72 with 93 seconds to go, but Maryland settled the outcome thanks to a three-pointer from senior point guard Chloe Pavlech 24 seconds later.
“Wisconsin came out very aggressive,” Waker-Kimbrough said. “They took the first punch and got back, but I thought we came out very hard in the second half. [Jones] was the reason for that. She’s unstoppable when she gets going.” “Wisconsin came out very aggressive,” Walker-Kimbrough said. “They took the first punch and got back, but I thought we came out very hard in the second half. [Jones] was the reason for that. She’s unstoppable when she gets going.”
[Terrapins Insider: Latest Maryland news]
A 12-0 run bridging the first two quarters gave Maryland a three-point buffer until the Badgers moved back in front with six straight points capped by senior guard Dakota White’s jumper with 4:06 left in the half. But the Terrapins continued to capitalize from beyond the arc, building 36-32 halftime advantage on three straight three-pointers, as Wisconsin focused on defending the interior.A 12-0 run bridging the first two quarters gave Maryland a three-point buffer until the Badgers moved back in front with six straight points capped by senior guard Dakota White’s jumper with 4:06 left in the half. But the Terrapins continued to capitalize from beyond the arc, building 36-32 halftime advantage on three straight three-pointers, as Wisconsin focused on defending the interior.
Redshirt senior guard Brene Moseley (six points, 10 assists) made the first of those with 3:01 left, and Walker-Kimbrough followed with another just over a minute later. Moseley then poked away the ball from Wisconsin senior guard Nicole Bauman (23 points) near midcourt, dove to gain possession and passed while on her back to teammate Tierney Pfirman.Redshirt senior guard Brene Moseley (six points, 10 assists) made the first of those with 3:01 left, and Walker-Kimbrough followed with another just over a minute later. Moseley then poked away the ball from Wisconsin senior guard Nicole Bauman (23 points) near midcourt, dove to gain possession and passed while on her back to teammate Tierney Pfirman.
The senior forward spotted Walker-Kimbrough open by the right baseline, delivered a pass across the court and watched as Maryland’s leading scorer swished her fourth three-pointer of the half with 45 seconds to play.The senior forward spotted Walker-Kimbrough open by the right baseline, delivered a pass across the court and watched as Maryland’s leading scorer swished her fourth three-pointer of the half with 45 seconds to play.
Maryland opened the game with a dearth of energy, allowing the Badgers to score inside frequently and build a 22-13 lead. The Terrapins regrouped, though, starting with Walker-Kimbrough’s steal and layup for the final basket of the first quarter.Maryland opened the game with a dearth of energy, allowing the Badgers to score inside frequently and build a 22-13 lead. The Terrapins regrouped, though, starting with Walker-Kimbrough’s steal and layup for the final basket of the first quarter.
Pfirman made a jumper to start the second quarter, and sophomore guard Kristen Confroy’s three-pointer drew Maryland within 22-20. The Terrapins then claimed their first lead moments later on Pfirman’s three-pointer from the right corner.Pfirman made a jumper to start the second quarter, and sophomore guard Kristen Confroy’s three-pointer drew Maryland within 22-20. The Terrapins then claimed their first lead moments later on Pfirman’s three-pointer from the right corner.
“They’re not the number six team in the country for no reason,” Kelsey said. “They’re going to go deep in the [NCAA] tournament. Our time will come. I’ve been on the other side. It’s nice.”“They’re not the number six team in the country for no reason,” Kelsey said. “They’re going to go deep in the [NCAA] tournament. Our time will come. I’ve been on the other side. It’s nice.”