Illinois women can’t hang on to a 9-point halftime lead and fall 82-71 at No. 8 Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — When it got here time for Brenda Frese’s Maryland gamers to price their efficiency at halftime, there was a little bit of a disconnect between them and their coach.

“They price themselves a bit of larger than what I (did),” Frese stated. “That was referred to as out.”

No matter was stated throughout that break, the eighth-ranked Terrapins seemed like a special group afterward, dominating the third quarter on their method to an 82-71 victory over Illinois on Sunday. Diamond Miller scored 31 factors, and the Terps rallied from an 11-point second-quarter deficit.

“Halftime was what halftime wanted to be,” Miller stated. “I believe that fired us up, and after we got here again out, we got here out taking part in good protection and simply executing on each side of the courtroom.”

Abby Meyers scored 14 of her 18 factors within the third quarter for the Terrapins, who improved to 13-0 all time towards the Illini. This victory was doubtful for some time, although. Maryland (21-5, 12-3 Large Ten) missed all 17 of its 3-point makes an attempt however was in a position to come again due to its tenacious stress protection.

Down 37-28 at halftime, the Terps outscored Illinois 31-8 within the third. The Illini had extra turnovers (10) than field-goal makes an attempt (9) within the quarter.

“The priority, clearly, taking part in them is their stress,” Illinois coach Shauna Inexperienced stated. “We dealt with it high quality till that third quarter, after we didn’t deal with it high quality and so they made us pay by getting a ton of baskets off of our turnovers.”

Meyers’ three-point play put Maryland forward 46-43. After a few free throws by Illinois’ Makira Prepare dinner, the Terps scored the ultimate 13 factors of the quarter. A steal and layup by Miller put Maryland up by 5, then Shyanne Sellers stole the ball and handed to Meyers for a layup.

With a couple of minute to go within the quarter, Prepare dinner’s cross sailed proper to Inexperienced on the sideline. She bounced the ball in obvious frustration. Moments later, after one other turnover, Meyers made a layup whereas being fouled and the free throw made it 59-45.

Illinois (19-7, 9-6) made all 5 of its 3-point makes an attempt within the first quarter and went 12 of twenty-two past the arc. Prepare dinner scored 29 factors however had 9 of her group’s 25 turnovers.

Illinois was taking part in with out guard Genesis Bryant, the group’s No. 2 scorer. Solely six Illini gamers appeared for greater than 3:13 and solely seven performed in any respect.

“It’s an enormous problem to not have one among your place to begin guards,” Inexperienced stated. “For us to type of get to that subsequent stage, we’ve obtained to have the ability to deal with stress.”

Whereas Maryland missed each 3-pointer it took, the Terps have been an ideal 18 of 18 on free throws and outscored Illinois 56-12 within the paint.

“It began defensively with our press,” Frese stated. “(Sellers) was struggling a bit of bit in that first half — I actually challenged her and Diamond at halftime. These two actually wanted to step up our power for the defensive finish.”

Illinois: The Illini did a pleasant job slowing Maryland within the first half, however their incapability to carry on to the ball gave the Terps approach too many simple baskets. Maryland completed with a 30-13 edge in fast-break factors.

Maryland: It says loads that the Terps ended up profitable pretty comfortably regardless of being outscored 36-0 past the arc. Maryland’s skill to get out and run makes this group harmful even when Miller isn’t getting a lot assist in the half-court offense.

Illinois: Hosts Penn State subsequent Sunday.

Maryland: Visits Michigan State on Saturday. Maryland received the primary assembly 94-85 final month.