LINCOLN, Neb. — Throughout the first half Sunday, the basketball clanked in each path: brief, sturdy, vast and even awkwardly off the backboard. And when Nebraska wasn’t lacking pictures, it was turning the ball over.
Maryland
Revenge-minded Maryland stifles Nebraska for its third straight win
That was the primary time Maryland misplaced to the Cornhuskers in 16 conferences. No. 17 went to Maryland (16-4, 7-2) with ease.
“We got here out right here able to assault,” guard Diamond Miller mentioned. “It left a bitter style in our mouths after that final loss. So popping out at present, we simply wished to punch laborious, and I feel we did that.”
Sunday introduced the third straight sport that Maryland began quick — and people sturdy beginnings have fueled a three-game profitable streak. Maryland has not trailed in its previous two video games, and it has been behind for simply 1 minute 57 seconds throughout this streak. For the reason that Nebraska loss, the Terps have gained 9 of 10, with their lone loss coming at No. 6 Indiana on Jan. 12.
“We’re at our greatest after we play quick and play collectively,” guard Shyanne Sellers mentioned. “So it’s type of simply the place we’re at proper now — simply staying on the identical web page even when issues aren’t going out method.”
Coach Brenda Frese’s Maryland groups usually characteristic high-powered offense, however the Terps’ two Large Ten street wins in 4 days (beginning with a 77-64 victory over Wisconsin on Thursday) had been jump-started on the defensive finish. On Sunday, Maryland led 37-14 at halftime. These 14 factors had been the fifth fewest Nebraska has scored in a primary half in program historical past.
Nebraska’s six first-quarter factors had been the fewest Maryland has allowed this season. When halftime arrived, Nebraska (12-8, 4-5) was capturing 16.7 % — with 4 area targets and 14 turnovers. Maryland completed the sport with 22 factors off 22 Nebraska turnovers.
Miller was aggressive early, however her shot wasn’t falling. She made up for that by attending to the rim, drawing fouls and going 8 for 11 from the free throw line. She completed with 18 factors, 5 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Sellers added a game-high 20 factors, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
Nebraska’s Jaz Shelley was held to a team-high 10 factors after posting 29 within the groups’ December assembly.
“Taking part in anyone within the Large Ten Convention, a lot much less the quantity 11 group within the nation, we will’t come out shell shocked and switch the ball over like the best way we did,” Nebraska Coach Amy Williams mentioned.
Right here’s what else to find out about Maryland’s win:
Regardless of its wire-to-wire win, Maryland didn’t have a powerful displaying on offense. The Terps shot 30.3 %, and Miller and Sellers had been the one gamers in double figures. Exterior of them, Maryland shot 9 for 40 (22.5 %).
Freshman Bri McDaniel despatched Maryland into halftime on a excessive notice with a spectacular steal and a buzzer-beating layup.
The Chicago native ripped the ball from Shelley and put her on her bottom earlier than dribbling up the court docket, weaving between two defenders and ending a reverse layup whereas falling to the court docket. Miller sprinted over to present McDaniel a couple of congratulatory shoves earlier than they skipped to the locker room collectively.
McDaniel completed with three factors in 9 minutes.
“She simply performs laborious,” Miller mentioned. “She’s a piece in progress, however she’s doing very well. We’re tremendous happy with how a lot she has grown this season. And he or she’s going to be a canine. She performs like a canine already. We’re simply actually excited to see what she will be able to do. That little section is her in a nutshell, and that’s how she performs each possession.”
The Midwest journey gave Frese a chance to spend time together with her mom and two sisters. They drove over from Iowa and had been within the stands for Sunday’s sport. The timing couldn’t have been higher: Sunday was Frese’s father’s birthday. Invoice Frese misplaced a protracted battle with prostate most cancers final 12 months. He was 89.
Maryland hosts No. 14 Michigan on Thursday to begin a four-game stretch that includes three ranked groups. With 9 video games to go, the schedule options six ranked opponents, together with No. 2 Ohio State and No. 10 Iowa twice apiece.
“As coaches, clearly we all know what lies forward,” Frese mentioned. “However it’s simply controlling proper now and getting higher — and to have the ability to have an evening like at present the place we’re getting higher defensively as this group continues to develop. However clearly the realm for us is placing 4 quarters collectively. We’ve proven we will try this after we’ve performed the [Connecticuts] and the Notre Dames.”