Takeaways from No. 16 Maryland women’s basketball’s blowout win over Minnesota

No. 16 Maryland girls’s basketball ended 2022 on a excessive word with a dominant 107-85 victory over Huge Ten foe Minnesota. The Terps flashed moments of “constructing chemistry” and placed on a whole efficiency on the XFINITY Heart in Faculty Park.

Maryland moved to 2-1 in convention play and can hit the street for a conflict with Rutgers on Jan. 2 at 2 p.m.

Listed here are three takeaways from the sport.

Maryland’s protection paved the way in which for a productive displaying in transition.

When the season started in late October, Maryland head coach Brenda Frese knew this crew can be reliant upon its pace to trigger havoc for opponents. Nevertheless, it was Maryland’s pace on the defensive finish that set the stage for its offense to ship the products.

Frese’s Terps wasted little time moving into their signature 1-2-2 full court docket press, as they regarded to pressure turnovers and management the tempo. Maryland would just do that, led by sophomore guard Shyanne Sellers.

Sellers, in entrance of Maryland’s press, confirmed lively arms and compelled Minnesota’s offense to consistently begin with solely seconds to spare on the shot clock. The sophomore collected two of the Terps’ 13 steals and recorded 19 factors and 9 rebounds in Maryland’s victory.

But it surely was the Terps’ skilled chief who would set the tone on protection.

Maryland star senior guard Diamond Miller flashed her two-way skillset, as she was dialed in from the opening tip.

Miller used her size to harass Minnesota and was lively within the passing lane, evidenced by her 5 steals.

The Terps scored 30 factors off 23 Minnesota’s turnovers, as they have been efficient at stealing the ball and racing out in transition.

Maryland enjoys turning protection into offense and is aware of it’s able to taking part in at a excessive stage on any given evening.

“Our press, turnovers, [the fact] that we have been capable of pressure 23-6 was an enormous piece within the recreation for us,” Frese stated. “That’s one thing that we’re very able to doing each single time we step out on the ground.”

The Terps made an emphasis to grab the defensive rebound and get into their quick break. With 26 quick break factors, Maryland had its means with Minnesota in entrance of its house followers.

If Maryland can construct on this victory, it could possibly be a harmful crew by the point March comes round.

The Terps’ six turnovers injected life into their offense.

One of many best methods to place your crew for a victory is to easily restrict the quantity of turnovers.

On Friday, Maryland recorded a mere six turnovers, its second highest whole prior to now three video games. The Terps’ skill to guard the basketball offered further possessions for his or her athletes to get buckets on the rim.

Maryland hit the century mark for the primary time this season, with 4 scorers in double figures. Miller led the Terps with 22 factors, making six of seven pictures from the charity stripe. The New Jersey native has performed properly all season, and Frese believes it’s her mindset that’s paying dividends for the Terps.

“I really like how Diamond’s taking part in as a result of she attracts so many [people] defensively that she’s now understanding to attract, to kick, to get it again, to chop, to maneuver, and our offense is de facto flowing,” Frese stated. “That’s a tough matchup when all people scores and championship groups need to have three, 4 or 5 scorers in double figures.”

Maryland’s offense is based on a lot of movement and setting robust screens to unencumber its expertise on the perimeter.

The Terps’ skill to restrict their turnovers helped shine a lightweight on a formidable efficiency by a participant of their first season donning the black and pink.

Senior guard Lavender Briggs scored 14 factors off the bench and didn’t file a single turnover in 27 minutes of motion. The Florida switch appears to be gaining consolation taking part in together with her teammates after lacking final season with a reported decrease physique damage.

“I’m feeling fairly good. I’m simply attempting to play laborious each recreation and assist my teammates as greatest as I can. Whether or not that’s on protection, offense, and my coaches and my teammates are giving me quite a lot of confidence and I really feel like that’s simply serving to me get settled in,” Briggs stated.

Briggs surpassed the 1,000-point mark earlier within the season and has proven the flexibility to attain in bunches throughout her collegiate profession.

If Maryland can proceed to restrict its turnovers and obtain precious contributions for others, the Terps’ offense could possibly be harmful the remainder of the way in which.

Maryland hit a minor pace bump previous to halftime, then dominated the second half to increase its profitable streak to 4.

Maryland has 9 newcomers on its roster, which implies it doesn’t have a lot expertise taking part in with each other.

It’s anticipated that the Terps will play in a number of shut video games this season, offering adversity to a reasonably new crew.

After taking a 24-15 lead after the primary quarter, Maryland regarded to construct on its quick begin.

Minnesota clawed again and started to knock down its pictures. With beneath three minutes till intermission, the Golden Gophers’ momentum minimize Maryland’s result in six. The momentum appeared as if it utterly swung in Minnesota’s course, however the Terps’ second-half response shortly halted its comeback try.

“We talked about their run that that they had. They’re a Huge Ten crew. They’re very aggressive and actually proficient. It was [time to] climate the storm and I believe we did that,” Miller stated. “Popping out of halftime, we actually needed to verify they didn’t go on one other run. So we have been simply taking part in higher protection, taking part in tougher, and working in transition.”

The Terps scored 35 factors within the third quarter and in the end put the sport out of attain.

Maryland was 25-of-43 (58%) from the sector within the second half and was efficient at getting favorable seems to be on the rim.

With pictures falling comfy, Maryland’s offense was more and more tough to cease. The ball moved with precision and athletes have been aggressive of their drives to the rim.

Maryland senior ahead Religion Masonius credit the crew’s dedication in observe for making enhancements on each ends of the ground.

“Our chemistry has come a great distance. We [have] began to turn out to be extra aggressive on protection, our offense is beginning to circulate extra and we’re sort of simply moving into the play and having extra enjoyable taking part in with one another. So we’ve undoubtedly grown rather a lot as a crew,” Masonius stated.

As we shift into 2023, Maryland will look to proceed its profitable methods, as notable convention matchups await.