No. 15 Maryland women’s basketball drubs Wisconsin, 70-43 to earn sixth straight win

Courtesy of Maryland Athletics

No. 15 Maryland women’s basketball (18-6, B1G 10-3) dominated Wisconsin (6-17, B1G 3-10), 70-43, to extend their winning streak to six games as the Terps head into the homestretch of the regular season. 

Just like their last game, everything worked for the Terps as they dominated both ends of the floor to tie their longest win streak of the season. The victory also marks  Maryland’s second win without guard Ashley Owusu, who’s missing time with a sprained ankle. 

“I love the fact that we set the tone on both ends defensively and then getting everyone involved offensively,” head coach Brenda Frese said. 

Freshman guard Shyanne Sellers started once again in Owusu’s place and played well, scoring 12 points, collecting five rebounds and recording four steals. 

“It’s been fun trying to adjust to the point guard position,” Sellers said. 

Forward Chloe Bibby opened up hot, converting her first three shots to pick up eight early points to pace the Terps, as they raced out to a 11-8 lead in the first quarter. Bibby would finish the night with 16 points. 

Maryland then closed out the first quarter on a 11-0 run, holding Wisconsin scoreless for over four minutes. The run was capped off by threes from Katie Benzan and Sellers. The Terps built a 22-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

Early in the second quarter, Wisconsin guard Brooke Schramek converted a hookshot to snap the Badgers scoring drought, but the Terps immediately responded with an Angel Reese layup on the fast break. Reese’s bucket jump started another 11-0 Terps run. 

Wisconsin committed 13 turnovers in the first half. The Terps converted the numerous turnovers to 19 points — the amount they led at halftime.

Reese had a big game scoring a bunch in the paint to lead the team with 19 points and blocked three shots. Reese also added nine rebounds. 

The Terps smothered the Badgers all night only allowing them to shoot 35% from the field with the Badgers only scoring eight points in both the first and third quarters. 

In total, the Terps forced 25 turnovers with 16 steals. Everyone who played recorded at least one steal — Bibby picked up five. Sellers and Benzan added four and three steals respectively. 

“We love that,” Bibby said. “We’ve been working on our defense all year and it’s really great to see that.”

Next the Terps will travel west to Iowa to take on Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes on Monday at 9 p.m. The contest will mark their first of four straight games against ranked opponents to close out the season. 

“We are excited to play against these top ranked opponents,” Frese said.