Maryland Terrapins Dominate Purdue
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — In a commanding performance, the No. 14 ranked Maryland Terrapins extended their winning streak to five games, decisively overcoming Purdue with a score of 99-66 on Sunday.
Standout Performers
Oluchi Okananwa was the standout player of the match, contributing significantly with 26 points. Supporting her effort, Addi Mack added 14 points, while both Saylor Poffenbarger and Mir McLean chipped in with 11 points each. From the bench, Kyndal Walker shone brightly, netting a personal best of 18 points, and fellow freshman Rainey Welson also made an impact by scoring 11 points.
Purdue’s Efforts
Purdue’s Kiki Smith and Nya Smith made notable contributions for their team, scoring 19 and 18 points, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the Terrapins.
Game Progression
The game began with Okananwa igniting Maryland’s offense by scoring 10 points in the opening quarter, which concluded with the Terrapins leading 22-17. Saylor Poffenbarger took control in the second period, scoring all her points then, helping Maryland establish a 51-32 lead by halftime.
As the game progressed, Maryland’s dominance became more evident, capped by a powerful 15-5 run in the last five minutes of the third quarter, pushing their lead to 77-48 heading into the final frame. With about two minutes remaining, the Terrapins held their largest advantage at 97-60.
Defensively, freshman Marya Boiko made her mark by blocking five shots, four of which came during the fourth quarter, showcasing her skills as a backup forward from Belarus.
Statistical Highlights
Statistically, Maryland showcased their strengths by outscoring Purdue significantly in key areas: points off turnovers (21-11), bench scoring (31-16), and second-chance points (20-11). With this victory, Maryland improved its February record to an impressive 27-5 over the past three seasons.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Maryland will conclude the regular season with an important home game against Northwestern on Wednesday, before facing No. 6 Michigan on Saturday. On the other hand, Purdue will prepare to host Oregon on Wednesday and travel to Northwestern on Sunday.
