By Jasmine Brown
The Terrapins, despite committing 22 turnovers defeated Syracuse 82-64 to win the B1G/ACC Challenge. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Brionna Jones combined for 37 points. Despite their own mishaps, Maryland has found ways to pull away and show why they are the No.5 team in the country.
The Terps had a battle with Syracuse in the beginning of the game with nine turnovers in the first half. Syracuse capitalized on the Terps turnovers, scoring 17 points in total off of Maryland’s 22 turnovers.
“We’ve got to cut those down. There’s ways for us to fix it in practice. That’s something these last two games has given us some problems,” Coach Brenda Frese said.
Maryland made up from the turnovers by scoring 16 points in the paint and leading Syracuse 43-31 at the half.
The depth of the Terps was too much to handle for Syracuse. The bench scored 33 points, including Teirney Pfirman with 10 points and Brene Moseley with 12 points. Maryland found themselves having to keep up guard Brianna Butler, who finished with 22 points and guard Alexis Peterson (14 pts.), who at 5’7 proved to be a very explosive opponent for the Terps.
“She is aggressive,” Walker-Kimbrough said. “I thought our bigs did a great job switching and staying long and contesting shots without fouling.”
In the closing quarter of the game Maryland would seem to pull away, but Syracuse would not go away, cutting once 12 or 13 point leads to eight. However Maryland’s defense and late scoring proved too much for the Orange and a big game ending three by Tierney Pfirman would give the Terps their 7th win of the season and staying perfect.
The Terps will look to extend their perfect season when they play Central Connecticut State Saturday in Xfinity Center. Tip off starts at 2:00 p.m.
