Maryland shows versatility against UMBC, winning 92-61

The Maryland women’s basketball team assembles together in a tight huddle on the court after warming up for their evening matchup against George Washington at the Charles E. Smith Center in Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. The Terps won 69-30. (Alexandra Glover/The Black Explosion)

The University of Maryland women’s basketball team came out on top Sunday afternoon against their University System of Maryland rivals, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The seventh-ranked Terps defeated the Golden Retrievers with a comfortable 92-61 win at the Xfinity Center.

The Terrapins won the game but often started slowly at the beginning of quarters.

“From the third quarter, obviously we need to improve,” Maryland head coach Brenda Frese said. “I thought it was a slow start for us [and] that’s an area we gotta be able to clean up.”

Junior forward Stephanie Jones recorded a team-high 17 points and freshman forward Shakira finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Terps held a 58-30 lead at halftime and led by as many as 37 points.

Even with the large lead, UMBC responded with six unanswered points at the beginning of the second half to cut into the lead. After having several opportunities at the free-throw line, as well as a key steal by junior guard Sarah Myers, which turned into a 3-pointer by junior guard Sara Vujacic, the third quarter ended with a score of 81-48.

“I liked the response,” Frese said.“We obviously subbed and the response from the bench being ready to play was big.”

Frese continued to put emphasis postgame on how important bench play is to the success of the team, saying, “We need to, we have to extend our bench play. That depth is critical to our success in the future.”

When asked about how she’s maintained a growth in confidence, freshman forward Shakira Austin replied, “Staying focused and worrying about the next game and not focusing on bad games ... Bringing it all to the court and staying focus in making the right play.”

The Terrapins continue their quest to remain undefeated against the Dukes as James Madison travels to the Xfinity Center on Dec. 8. Tipoff is set for 12:00 p.m. EST. The Dukes are currently ranked No. 1 in the Colonial Athletic Conference and have won their last two matchups.