No. 8 Maryland rallies in second half to beat Illinois 82-71 – WTOP News

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

“They fee themselves a bit increased than what I (did),” Frese mentioned. “That was referred to as out.”

No matter was mentioned throughout that break, the eighth-ranked Terrapins seemed like a distinct crew 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 mentioned. “I believe that fired us up, and once we got here again out, we got here out taking part in good protection and simply executing on each side of the court docket.”

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

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

“The priority clearly, taking part in them, is their strain,” Illinois coach Shauna Inexperienced mentioned. “We dealt with it advantageous till that third quarter, once we didn’t deal with it advantageous, they usually made us pay by getting a ton of baskets off of our turnovers.”

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

With a few minute to go within the quarter, Prepare dinner’s move sailed proper to Inexperienced on the sideline. She bounced the ball in obvious frustration. Moments later, following 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 within the recreation. Prepare dinner scored 29 factors however had 9 of her crew’s 25 turnovers.

Illinois was taking part in with out guard Genesis Bryant, the crew’s second-leading 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 certainly one of your start line guards,” Inexperienced mentioned. “For us to form of get to that subsequent degree, we’ve acquired to have the ability to deal with strain.”

BIG PICTURE

Illinois: The Illini did a pleasant job slowing Maryland down within the first half, however their lack of ability to carry onto the ball gave the Terps means too many simple baskets. Maryland completed with a 30-13 edge in quick break factors.

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

BOTH EXTREMES

Whereas Maryland missed each 3-pointer it took, the Terps have been additionally an ideal 18 for 18 on free throws. And so they outscored Illinois 56-12 within the paint.

“It began defensively with our press,” Frese mentioned. “(Sellers), who was struggling a bit 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.”

UP NEXT

Illinois: The Illini host Penn State subsequent Sunday.

Maryland: The Terps play at Michigan State on Saturday. Maryland gained the primary assembly between the groups 94-85 final month.

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Comply with Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister

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AP ladies’s faculty basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

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