The seventh-ranked Maryland women’s basketball team struggled in its first Big Ten game and needed to make a statement in the Big Ten home opener.
The Terps couldn’t have gotten off to a better start Monday. Maryland scored the first 14 points of the game and ended the first quarter on a 13-0 run.
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Maryland led by 21 points after the first quarter, its largest lead against a Big Ten opponent in program history, and it was enough for Maryland to beat Wisconsin 97-59.
The Terps defense was a major factor in the early game. Wisconsin was called for two half-court violations in the first quarter, while Maryland implemented a full-court press and threatened the Badgers on every possession.
Maryland’s rotation on Monday will likely mirror the Big Ten’s deployment for the rest of the season — barring more injuries.
With Brie McDaniel, Kailyn Smicle, Ava McKennie and Leah Bartelme out for the season, the Terps have 11 available players
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Head coach Brenda Fraser relied on seven contributors to build a huge first-half lead: Oluchi Okananwa, Seile Poffenbarger, Adi Mack, Aden Garzon, Isimenme Oz-Momodu, Kendall Walker and Mir McLean. That group was Maryland’s core for the remainder of the season.
In the first half, Okananwa devoted himself wholeheartedly and switched from defense to offense. She was Maryland’s best player on Monday with 28 points, six steals and five rebounds.
The Terps led by 25 points at halftime, Maryland’s largest lead in Big Ten play since 2022. All of Maryland’s first-half points came from this core player. Frazier shuffled Maria Boyko, Rainey Wilson and Brianna Williams on the floor, but their minutes didn’t last long.
It was a stark contrast to Monday’s first Big Ten game against Maryland, which beat Minnesota by one point in double overtime. Even though Wisconsin and Minnesota had the same record before Monday, the two games were not similar.
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In Minnesota, the Terps had to overcome injuries to get the win. Since then, the game plan has changed — here’s Maryland’s departed roster, and no one will be back.
Boffenbarger returned to the court after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. Maryland dominated in back-to-back non-competitive games but didn’t go all out.
Although the Terps controlled the game from start to finish, there were some lingering questions. Maryland forced 23 turnovers to reach 20 points, but was also plagued by turnover issues and committed 20 turnovers of its own.
But the Terps dominated in every other area. Maryland prioritized transition and dominance in the paint, leaving the Badgers far behind.
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Maryland took advantage of a fast break that Wisconsin couldn’t. The Terps quickly brought the ball down the field and found offense — they had 24 fast break points to Wisconsin’s none. Mack is the engine in transition, driving into the paint and getting to the basket with ease.
This dominance continues to decline. The Terps scored 14 more points in the paint and built their offense through defensive rebounds. Garzon, McClain and Ozzy Momodu each had six defensive rebounds. Maryland had 21 more defensive rebounds than Wisconsin.
Monday was the Terps’ biggest Big Ten win since 2021. They improve to 14-0 for the second consecutive season and will once again enter the new year undefeated.
Three things to know
1. The number of starters reaches double digits. Four of Maryland’s five starters scored 14 or more points on Monday in a dominant victory. The Terps’ starting lineup combined for 78 points. For the foreseeable future, they will likely rely on the five of Mack, Okananwa, Garzon, Boffenbarger and Oz-Momodu.
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2. Rebounds. Maryland dominated on the glass, grabbing 13 more rebounds than the Badgers. Ozzie Momodu, Garzon and McClain combined for 24 of Maryland’s 51 rebounds, including 20 points on second chances and 28 points in the paint.
3. A great start to the Top 10 list. Maryland played an independent Big Ten game earlier this month. The Terps’ conference slate will now be extended through the end of the regular season. The Terps enter the home stretch as the third-ranked team in the conference, but will be competitive in every game. Wisconsin brings a rookie coach and a new scheme — and the Terps won’t have anything like it the rest of the season.
