Maryland head coach Brenda Frese emphasized her team’s depth as a major strength heading into 2025. The Terps proved that to be the case on Sunday. 

Starting guard Lea Bartelme went down with a season-ending ACL tear on Thursday, but the Terps didn’t skip a beat. Four players scored in double figures, led by 20 points from Oluchi Okananwa as No. 9 Maryland defeated Princeton 84-68 at Xfinity Center. 

“Injuries are the toughest thing within a season,” said head coach Brenda Frese. “You just have to be able to help your kids, be resilient, and that’s why everyone has to continue to be ready to play.”

Maryland led wire to wire, as the game never came into jeopardy. The team’s most consistent faces stepped up as Okananwa reached double digits for the fifth straight game. 

Saylor Poffenbarger was right behind her as she solidified herself as a major factor on both sides of the ball, scoring 19 points with six rebounds and three steals. 

Addi Mack made her first start to fill the hole in the starting lineup. The true freshman played 35 minutes and finished with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. 

From the very start, the Xfinity Center was jumping. Whether it was a three-pointer, layup, or an and-one, the fans were on their feet, pouring energy onto the court.

In the first half, Mack and Poffenbarger led the way. The duo scored in double-digit points as the Terps jumped out to an early lead. 

Despite holding a sizable lead for most of the second quarter, Princeton locked down in the final four minutes, going on a 12-0 scoring run to keep the game close at 34-30 entering halftime. 

Out of the half, Princeton was unable to find its rhythm again, but the Terps could not either. Mack left the game briefly in the middle of the quarter due to an injury, but Kaylene Smikle stepped up. Smikle had eight points on the quarter, all of which came from free throws, fueling a 10-0 Maryland run. 

“We have a lot of like, anybody on our team is able to play, so just trying to tie them out, keep the pressure on them,” Smikle said. 

Maryland left the third winning 61-48 and had Addi Mack back for the final quarter. 

Both teams were firing in the fourth, but the Terps could not be stopped to end the game. Poffenbarger and Okananwa played the entire fourth and combined for 13 points in the quarter. 

With only a minute or so left in the game, the Terps had the win locked away as they held on to the ball and drained the clock to seal a 16-point victory. 

“Those players have been together for three and four years with all their experience,” Frese said. “Having one practice, you know, after losing a key player in our lineup, you know, I thought we didn’t even flinch.”

The Terps will return to the Xfinity Center on Thursday to face Bethune-Cookman.