Maryland women’s basketball stunned in blowout loss against Nebraska
Maryland Women's Basketball vs. Nebraska at Xfinity Center in College Park, MD on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. University of Maryland Athletics. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The No. 17 Maryland Terrapins (19-6, 9-5) were demoralized in a 91-71 defeat against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (17-8, 8-6) Thursday evening at the Xfinity Center.
After winning their last two conference matchups against Oregon and Washington, the Terrapins looked to extend their win streak with a victory over Nebraska. Nebraska had a daunting task on their hands as they looked to halt their three game skid following losses against Indiana, Michigan and Iowa.
The Cornhuskers led 86-61 with just over four and a half minutes to play.
In what was her 250th career win, Nebraska head coach Amy Williams said the team was,“really, really hungry,” coming off their losing streak. “Our response after getting down was impressive,” Williams added.
Shyanne Sellers’ back-to-back layups early in the first quarter along with a three-pointer, pushed the Terp’s lead to 15-6 with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter.
Sellers full court assist to Saylor Poffenbarger gave the Terps another 13 point advantage as they led 25-12 with two minutes to play in the first.
The Terps led 29-18 at the end of the first quarter as Maryland took control.
A layup from the Cornhusker’s Jessica Petrie cut the Terps lead to just five halfway through the second quarter. She knocked down a three on Nebraska’s next possession which was followed by another three-pointer from Alberte Rimdal of Nebraska as the Cornhuskers finally stormed back to take the lead, 37-36, with three minutes to play in the second quarter.
Sellers scored back down layups on back to back possessions, plus a free throw. The Terps looked to convert off a Nebraska turnover on the last possession of the half, Fisher put in a three-pointer with seven seconds remaining as the score was 45-45 heading into the half.
“It really started with our ability to secure rebounds, and once we did we could get out and push a little bit more pace,” said Williams on their second quarter turn around.
Allie Kubek put in a layup as she was fouled as the second half began but Nebraska came out hot starting the second half with a three-point advantage, their biggest lead of the game at that point.
A three point basket from Alexis Markowski extended the Cornhuskers’ lead to 59-53.
Sellers put in two free throws half way through the third quarter as she led all scorers with 21 points.
Sellers expressed frustration with Maryland’s defensive performance during the game.
“Offensively you’re going to struggle, but we can’t have both offense struggle and defense struggle,” Sellers said after the game. “I think that was the biggest part, I really could care less about my offense,” she added.
A fastbreak Kaylene Smikle layup off the assist from Sellers looked to kick things off for the Terps in the fourth quarter, but Maryland still trailed by 14.
As this game wrapped up, Sellers led all scorers with 23 points, while Markowski led Nebraska with 20 points of her own. No other Terp had double figures while five other Cornhuskers achieved the feat.
Nebraska outscored Maryland 46-26 in the second half while also out rebounding them 42-25 the entire game.
Smikle got a fast break layup off an assist from Sellers kicked off the Terps’ fourth quarter as they trailed by 14. Rimdal knocked down another three-pointer in what seemed to be the dagger as the Cornhuskers led 79-61 into a Maryland timeout.
A three-pointer from Nebraska’s Callin Hake led to another timeout from Maryland.
Maryland head coach Brenda Freese said after the loss, “these games now come down to playing 40 minutes, and you have to be complete in those 40 minutes.”
“We just got embarrassed, and now is the moment of truth of how you’re going to respond, and if you’re going to be able to propel this to move forward,” Freese said.
Maryland will be back in action Monday evening in College Park against Michigan.