Abby Meyers splashed in two three-pointers late in the first quarter in a little over a minute stretch to help turn a tie game into a significant lead for Maryland. The triples were part of a 12-0 run that the Terps never looked back from. 

No. 8 Maryland defeated No. 10 Ohio State in dominant fashion, 90-54, in the Terps’ largest win over a top-ten opponent in program history. The win marks an essential bounce-back victory following the Terps’ defeat against Iowa on Thursday. 

“I was extremely frustrated at the Iowa game because I felt like we did not perform the way we needed to perform for that game, and we knew we were capable of competing and beating teams like Iowa. So coming out today was extremely crucial for us to show that we can play 40 minutes and we are one of the top contenders in the Big Ten,” Diamond Miller said. 

The three-headed monster that is Meyers, Miller, and Shyanne Sellers took over this game. 

Miller turned in a commanding performance, scoring 29 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and forcing three steals. 

“Our All-American in Diamond, I’m so glad that so many people were able to witness just how special a player she is,” Coach Brenda Frese said.

“I was definitely pissed off. They were very aggressive towards me, and I guess I just showed them what real aggression is,” Miller said. 

Meyers scored 22 points, including knocking down three shots from long range. She also added a scrappy performance on the defensive end, collecting two blocks. 

Sellers added 19 points, nine assists, and three steals. 

Maryland made it a point of emphasis to drive the basket this game and finished with 48 points in the paint. 

“Once we were able to get them in foul trouble, I thought our group did a phenomenal job. We kept telling them not to settle, get downhill, and just be really aggressive. I thought the attack mentality was really key,” Frese said. 

The Terps spread the ball around on offense, collecting 18 assists.. 

The Terps played tough on the defensive end, forcing 24 Ohio State turnovers and holding them to 34% shooting from the field. 

Maryland defended aggressively without fouling as Ohio State attempted only eight free throws all game. 

Ohio State struggled to get much of anything going offensively all game. Taylor Mikesell had a rough outing. She shot 5 of 19 from the field for only 12 points and costly turned the ball over six times. 

The one standout for the Buckeyes was Taylor Thierry, who scored 21 points on 6 of 9 shooting. 

The Terps jumped out to a 7-2 lead to start the game before the Buckeyes tied it back up at 7-7. 

Maryland then closed the first quarter on a 12-0 run. The run, fueled by their hounding defense, forced eight first quarter turnovers from Ohio State. 

The second quarter was more even as Ohio State woke up on the offensive end. However, they still struggled to stop the Terps, especially in the paint, where Maryland had 28 first-half points. 

Maryland went into the half with a 42-30 lead. 

One key factor in the first half was the foul trouble that several Buckeyes found themselves in. Star freshman Cotie McMahon only played eight minutes in the first half because she picked up three fouls. McMahon has been the second leading scorer for Ohio State this year 

Maryland came out attacking the basket in the second half and pushed the lead to 17 points at the halfway point of the third quarter. 

The Terps constantly found their way to the free throw line in the third quarter, a result of their willingness to attack the paint. They shot 8 of 10 from the charity stripe in the quarter. Miller’s aggression helped her get to the line often in the second half, though some of the foul calls were questionable. 

Maryland closed out the third on a 15-2 run and led 69-44 heading to the final quarter. 

The Terps started to assert dominance in the fourth quarter as the Buckeyes further collapsed. Maryland went on a 13-2 run early in the fourth, extending the lead to 34 points, the largest of the game so far.

 It only got worse from there for Ohio State. Key players McMahon and Thierry fouled out with over four minutes left in the game, and the Buckeyes appeared to have no fight left in them. 

Maryland closed out the game and claimed a statement victory.

“I absolutely believe that we made a statement, and if people don’t believe it, then they’re going to have to find out for themselves very soon,” Sellers said. 

The Terps look to continue this momentum into their next game against Northwestern.