No. 15 Maryland women’s basketball (17-6, B1G 9-3) is peaking at the right time. As March nears, the Terps will have the chance to extend their winning streak to six against Wisconsin (6-16, B1G 3-9) on Wednesday night. 

Last time out, the Terps dominated Nebraska on both ends of the floor, defeating a good team, 80-65. It was an impressive senior day win that came without their starting point guard. Shorthanded without guard Ashley Owusu, who missed the game with a sprained ankle she suffered in the team’s win against Michigan State, Maryland held strong against a youthful,  tournament-bound Nebraska squad. 

Owusu’s status is still day-to-day, according to head coach Brenda Frese. 

As a whole, the Terps have played much better on their win streak — especially on the defensive end. Maryland held four of its last five opponents to under 70 points while forcing 99 turnovers total. 

“I think our defense has gotten way better and then we are letting it [the game] come to our offense,” forward Angel Reese said. “I think we are in a good spot.” 

All the usual players have propelled the Terps to their current win streak. But guard Shyanne Sellers has played solidly the past three games and in her most recent outing when started in place of Owusu, contributing points, assists, steals and rebounds.

“She [Shyanne] plays the right way,” Frese said. “She found herself a great role in doing so many things for us and putting her own stamp for this team.”

With Owusu’s absence, sophomore guard Taisiya Kozlova also played more minutes on Sunday and will continue to do so if Owusu remains out. In Sunday’s win, Kozlova added two points, one steal and two defensive rebounds. 

“She had really impactful minutes [on Sunday],” Frese said. “Nobody works on their game harder than her and it takes a lot of resiliency to stay the course like she has.” 

Wisconsin, however, hasn’t been granted the luxury of having budding stars at its disposal and productive winning streaks to ride on in its 2021-22 season. As their record may have indicated, the Badgers are rebuilding. Wisconsin hired a new coach in Marisa Moseley less than a year ago, and she’s looking to build a new culture in the program with a young team. 

Wisconsin is coming off a 70-62 victory against Illinois on Sunday that snapped a three game skid. And, in the win, four Badgers scored in double figures for just the second time this season. 

Badgers guard Julie Pospisliova leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.2 points a game.

Fans can catch the game at 6 p.m on Wednesday on Big Ten Plus.