Maryland Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over Michigan State
In an impressive display of talent, the No. 22 ranked Maryland women’s basketball team achieved a convincing 86-70 victory over No. 12 Michigan State on Wednesday evening in East Lansing, Michigan. Leading the charge for Maryland was Oluchi Okananwa, who notched 23 points while contributing four rebounds, five assists, and a steal. The Terrapins, now holding an 18-6 overall record and 6-6 in the Big Ten, went into halftime with a 43-33 lead and significantly pulled away in the latter phases of the game.
Key Performances and Team Efforts
The third quarter proved pivotal as Maryland accelerated their play, showcasing a team shooting percentage of 49% for the game. Along with Okananwa, several other players made valuable contributions: Yarden Garzon scored 16 points alongside five assists, Kyndal Walker tallied 14 points, and Saylor Poffenbarger added 13 points, eight rebounds, and four steals. The Terrapins’ defense was formidable, forcing Michigan State into 20 turnovers that resulted in 23 points for Maryland.
Game Highlights
At the game’s onset, the Terps widened their lead to 72-55 early in the fourth quarter with a crucial three-pointer by Poffenbarger. Okananwa further extended the lead by scoring seven consecutive points, including a deep three that placed the score at 84-68 with just under two minutes remaining. Throughout the final stretch of the game, Maryland maintained a comfortable lead, never allowing the Spartans to cut the deficit to single digits.
Spartan Standouts
For the Spartans, who now hold a 19-4 record overall and an 8-4 record in the Big Ten, Grace VanSlooten was a standout, scoring 19 points, pulling down nine rebounds, and blocking four shots. Kennedy Blair also had a solid performance with 15 points and seven assists, while Jalyn Brown added 13 points.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Michigan State will take on Penn State this Saturday, while Maryland prepares to face Nebraska on the same day. Fans can sign up for alerts and updates regarding the AP Top 25 throughout the college basketball season.
