By Megan Smedley

Sluggish. That is how Maryland women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese described her team’s opening start against Loyola (Md.) on Monday night.

The first half was filled with missed shots, turnovers and even a collision between two players. Late in the first half, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and A’Lexus Harrison collided during a rebound but both players shook it off. Luckily the Terps never lost control of the scoreboard as they went into the half up 38-26.

Overall, Laurin Mincy led the team with 13 points and Lexie Brown added 11 of her own. Brionna Jones led the team with seven rebounds. The Terps shot 44.4 percent in the game.

Lone senior, Mincy, said that she needs to “be an example” to her underclassmen teammates. In order to prevent the sluggish start from occurring again, Mincy believes the team needs to “stay consistent and focused.”

With the upcoming trip to Puerto Rico, there was speculation that the trip caused a distraction to the team.

“It is a lot to juggle as a student athlete,” Frese said. “When we lose concentration anyone can beat us.”

Despite the 20 turnovers, the Terps still won by 22 points. With this win, Maryland moves to 5-0 on the season. This weekend, the team travels to Puerto Rico to play in the San Juan Shootout. They will face off against No.23 James Madison and Washington State.