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

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 somewhat greater than what I (did),” Frese stated. “That was known as out.”

No matter was stated throughout that break, the eighth-ranked Terrapins seemed like a unique group afterward, dominating the third quarter on their strategy 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 feel that fired us up, and after we got here again out, we got here out enjoying good protection and simply executing on either 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 doubtful 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 because of 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 area objective makes an attempt (9) within the quarter.

“The priority clearly, enjoying them, is their strain,” Illinois coach Shauna Inexperienced stated. “We dealt with it advantageous till that third quarter, after we did not 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 Cook 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 couple of minute to go within the quarter, Cook dinner’s go 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 sport. Cook dinner scored 29 factors however had 9 of her group’s 25 turnovers.

Illinois was enjoying with out guard Genesis Bryant, the group’s second-leading scorer. Solely six Illini gamers appeared for greater than 3:13 and solely seven performed in any respect.

“It is an enormous problem to not have one in every of your start line guards,” Inexperienced stated. “For us to type of get to that subsequent stage, we have 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 incapacity to carry onto the ball gave the Terps approach too many straightforward baskets. Maryland completed with a 30-13 edge in quick break factors.

Maryland: It says quite a bit that the Terps ended up successful pretty comfortably regardless of being outscored 36-0 past the arc. Maryland’s potential to get out and run makes this group harmful even when Miller is not getting a lot assist in the half-court offense.

BOTH EXTREMES

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

“It began defensively with our press,” Frese stated. “(Sellers), who was struggling somewhat bit in that first half — I actually challenged her and Diamond at halftime. These two actually wanted to step up our vitality 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.