Heading into the halftime locker room, Maryland women’s basketball trailed No. 8 Ohio State on the road — a team they had already lost to by double digits at home.

The Terps deficit was as high as 19 points, but they stormed their way back with a monster second half.

Despite not scoring in the final 2:14, Ohio State missed three free throws in the final minute as Maryland escaped with a 76-75 at Schottenstein Center.

“Definitely a tale of two halves. I thought Ohio State came out and punched first… But really proud that we had halftime to be able to settle in, and to be able to see this team through the adversity,” Maryland head coach Brenda Frese said.

In the opening minutes, Ohio State could not miss.

The Buckeye’s best player, Jaloni Cambridge — who’s second in the Big Ten in points per game with 22.5 — led Ohio State to an early 13-1 run. On the opposing end, Maryland could not find the bottom of the net.

While Cambridge came into the matchup as a big name, Ohio State’s Chance Gray was the true star of the opening minutes. In the first quarter, Gray had 11 points and didn’t miss a shot. Maryland had zero answers on either end.

“The percentage they were shooting from three was led by Jaloni [Cambridge]. She’s so talented to be able to really include her team as getting them involved,” Frese said.

The Terps have struggled defensively all season against opposing star power. It started versus Washington when Sayvia Sellers scored 38 points and had six assists as the Huskies beat the Terps in double overtime.

Next, it was a different outcome but the same style. When Maryland took on Penn State at home, Kiyomi McMiller scored 30 and Gracie Merkle added 13 to combine for 43 of the team’s 62 total points.

And after their win today, the Buckeyes’ two leading scorers — Cambridge and Gray — combined for 54 points.

One of the Maryland identities all season has been pushing the pace and battling on the glass. Ohio State took those away in the first half.

Instead, the Buckeyes pressed the ball and pushed the pace. The first half was very unorganized, but Ohio State thrived in the environment with its hot shooting. Maryland, on the other hand, could not keep up.

Maryland shot 28 percent from the field and 23 percent from behind the arc in the first half.
The Terps grabbed 10 offensive rebounds in the first half. It was only in Maryland’s advantage at the break.

Despite the team’s shooting struggles, Maryland flipped the script with a dominant 26-14 third quarter, with their deficit being just three heading into the final frame.

Frese emphasized all season that this team would find its identity in difficult situations. And with eight minutes remaining in the game, Maryland took its first lead of the game.

Maryland went on a 10-0 run in the first half to keep them within fighting distance. In the closing minutes of the game, a separate 8-0 run granted them a lead.

Ohio State did everything it could in the closing minutes and held the Terps scoreless. But three free throws in the final minute and a missed three at the buzzer allowed Maryland to earn its third straight win.

Four Maryland players with double-digit points, including five threes and 17 points for Yarden Garzon, helped Maryland hang on to a one-point victory.

“You go through ups and downs throughout a season, and I think we did a really good job of staying connected and staying together, and I think that is showing through in these last couple games,” Addi Mack said.