In a strong comeback performance, the eighth-ranked Maryland Terrapins defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 83-68 on Saturday. Bri McDaniel and Shyanne Sellers both contributed significantly to the victory, each scoring 21 points, while Kaylene Smikle added 18 points and Christina Dalce chipped in with 15. This win came after Maryland’s recent setback—a 79-74 loss to the fourth-ranked USC.
For Wisconsin, Sarah Williams led the scoring with 24 points, while Lily Krahn supported the effort with 16 points. It was a challenging day for the Badgers, who have now faced the Terps 14 times in history without a win, holding a record of 0-14 against them. Williams found her way to the basket early in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 62. However, Maryland responded with a dominating 17-2 run, extending their lead to 79-64, punctuated by Smikle’s offensive rebound and putback with just over three minutes remaining.
During this decisive stretch, the Terps’ defense forced the Badgers into six turnovers, while Wisconsin managed to score just once out of their first seven attempts in the final quarter. In contrast, Maryland found success in the fourth, making 8 of 13 shot attempts. The Terrapins managed to turn around a 53-49 deficit earlier in the game with a swift nine-point run, reclaiming the lead 58-53 with a driving layup by Sellers late in the third quarter.
Tess Myers hit a crucial three-pointer, and Williams followed with a layup to level the score at 60, but Christina Dalce’s short jumper allowed Maryland to close the third quarter up 62-60.
Maryland demonstrated their ability to adapt after being out-rebounded against USC, dominating on the boards with a 40-21 rebounding advantage and a significant 54-20 lead in points scored from inside the paint. Conversely, Wisconsin initially kept the score close with their three-point shooting but struggled significantly in the fourth quarter, failing to hit any shots beyond the arc (0-5).
A critical moment in the game occurred when Williams managed to convert only one of her two free throws, putting Wisconsin ahead 53-49. However, the Badgers missed their next seven attempts, allowing the Terps to shift momentum and assume a 58-53 lead.
Statistically, Maryland’s pressure on defense was evident as they forced Wisconsin into committing 16 turnovers, which led to 22 points for the Terrapins.
Looking ahead, Maryland will return to their home court to take on Minnesota on Tuesday, while Wisconsin is set to host the tenth-ranked Ohio State on Thursday.
