After opening conference play with a double-overtime thrilling win against Minnesota, Maryland women’s basketball dominated Wisconsin from start to finish in its Big Ten home opener.
The Terps dominated on the glass from both sides of the floor and used it to its advantage. Whether it was rebounds or fast-break points, the Terps outclassed Wisconsin, 97-59 at Xfinity Center.
Saylor Poffenbarger and Rainey Welson were inactive last week when the Terps handled Central Connecticut State. They were both back active this afternoon as Maryland (14-0, 2-0 Big Ten) officially started Big Ten play.
The Terps were at full strength except for those out for the season.
The Terps opened the game on a quick 12-0 run against the Badgers — the fourth time this year the Terps have started a game with a 10-0 run — led by seven early points for Oluchi Okananwa.
In just the first quarter alone, the Terps forced two 10-second violations with their press and 11 turnovers.
Maryland ended the first quarter with a 21-point lead — a program record for lead after the first quarter against a Big Ten opponent.
“We punched first. I loved the effort and intensity of that first quarter,” Maryland head coach Brenda Frese said. “I thought we set the tone with our defense, our rebounding. Really aggressive against a really good Wisconsin team.”
The Badgers were suffocated trying to get the ball past half-court, while Maryland drew fouls with its aggressiveness in the paint. The Terps attempted eight free throws compared to just one by the Badgers.
Maryland out-rebounded Wisconsin (9-4, 1-1 Big Ten) 51-28 with a combined 17 rebounds from Mir McLean and Izzy Ozzy-Momodu.
Okananwa established herself this season as one of the team’s leading scorers. She scored 28 points, setting a new career high — with 15 of her 28 points just 12 minutes into the game.
“Just being a part of this program and being coached by amazing people have just helped break out each game and do whatever I need to do to help my team win,” Okananwa said.
On the other side of the floor, the Badger offense just couldn’t get shots to fall offensively in the first half. The team shot only 19 percent from the field and 8% from behind the arc.
After multiple season-ending injuries for this Maryland squad, players were going to have and step up when their names were called. One of these players was Kyndal Walker.
Walker didn’t make a field goal in the first half, but her presence has been felt in every other aspect of the game. She’s fought to keep possessions alive, crashed boards and led the team with four assists.
Poffenbarger celebrated her 1,000-point accomplishment and scored 14 on the day.
The third quarter started, and so did Addi Mack. She and Wisconsin’s leading scorer, Kyrah Daniels, went back and forth, each running up and down the floor. Mack, after struggling earlier in this game from the field, ends with 15 points.
“I think it’s really important for me to just impact the game in any way that I can,” Mack said. “Taking advantage of opportunities when I get it. Those boards that I do get, it helps us push the ball in transition faster.”
It wasn’t just Mack who got after it on fast-break possessions. Maryland outscored the Badgers in fast-break points 24-2 throughout the game.
And whether it was off a fast break or in a settled possession, Maryland’s presence in the paint was felt all afternoon. The Terps outscored Wisconsin in the paint 26-14. Furthermore, they led the Badgers in second-chance opportunities and scores and outscored them 20-to-14 for the game.
Success on the block was established by multiple Terps throughout. After three quarters at least four different players for Maryland have at least six rebounds, pushing them towards a 33-point lead going into the final quarter.
Yarden Garzon looked to put the final touches on this game in the fourth quarter. She shot an efficient 5/8 from the field, scoring 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Monday was Maryland’s largest Big Ten victory since 2021, and it enters the new year undefeated for the second consecutive season.
