Fresh off an ugly but much-needed win against USC, No. 12 Maryland women’s basketball looked to regain its identity.
The task was No. 3 UCLA — a team that turned all of Maryland’s strengths into weaknesses and dominated the Terps at every level.
Despite a 12-point halftime deficit, Maryland let the game get away in the second half, falling to UCLA 97-67 at Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA entered Sunday with the nation’s 10th-best scoring offense at 86.4 points per game and the Terps’ defense could not stop it.
The Bruins shot 62.5 percent from the field and 56.5 percent from behind the arc, a recipe for success against any team. UCLA also had five players who finished in double figures.
“There’s a reason they’re ranked in the top four. All of them can space the floor, so it’s a really hard matchup,” head coach Brenda Frese said.
Gabriel Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker were on fire all game long. Jaquez ended with 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting, while Leger-Walker had 17 points, eight assists and nine rebounds.
Kiki Rice didn’t finish with a standout scoring total, but her ability to control the offense was on full display. As UCLA’s primary ball handler, Rice finished with eight points, six assists and five rebounds.
UCLA’s offensive firepower was highlighted by its ability to shoot the ball from deep. They went 13-for-23 (57%) from downtown, outscoring Maryland by 21 points from beyond the arc.
Every statistical category that UCLA controlled in this game are stats that usually belongs in Maryland’s favor. Maryland’s team identity was taken. Their press, their overall ability to shoot, but most importantly, their dominance on the glass were all shattered.
Maryland came into this game ranked third in the conference in defensive rebounds. UCLA made this stat look like a joke. The Bruins out-rebounded Maryland 46-to-24 in total boards.
“I thought fatigue came into play, and clearly the minus 22 on the glass, and then the offensive rebounds; they really made us pay in that area,” Frese said. “I think that’s probably the most disappointing piece. But that’s their strength. [and] that’s their depth that really wore us out and gave them a lot of great opportunities.”
Similar to the win against USC, Maryland’s usually dominant press had zero effect on the Bruins offense. They only scored two fastbreak points as UCLA stopped any attempt at a fast-paced Terps offense. Maryland’s offense could never find its groove, shooting 37%from the field and only 26% from behind the arc – both well below their season averages.
Oluchi Okananwa was the lone bright spot on the Maryland offense, continuing to deliver in Big Ten play. She scored 25 points tonight from 9-of-15 shooting.
Saylor Poffenbarger and Addi Mack also had double-digit scoring games, but Yarden Garzon had her worst game of the season, shooting 2-of-11 from the field.
While the Terps ultimately lost the game, their ability to limit their turnovers was a positive. After committing 35 turnovers in Maryland’s previous two defeats, the Terps only totalled nine against UCLA. Maryland also forced 16 turnovers, which led to 17 points.
“They play the right way. They make you pay for any mistake. Clearly every offensive rebound by them was really, really impactful… They wore us out,” Frese said.
Maryland will look to bounce back after its loss on Jan. 22 when they take on No. 11 Iowa on the road.
