College Park, Md. — In an exhilarating matchup on Tuesday night, Shyanne Sellers excelled with 27 points, leading No. 8 Maryland to a thrilling 99-92 victory over No. 24 Minnesota. This game marked a challenging return for the Golden Gophers to the Top 25 after an extensive break, highlighted by a six-game winning streak.

The Terrapins (16-1, 6-1 Big Ten) initially established a commanding 20-point advantage. However, the Golden Gophers (16-2, 4-2) mounted an impressive comeback, launching a 16-0 run late in the game. Kaylene Smikle halted Minnesota’s momentum with two crucial free throws with just 29.7 seconds left on the clock. Yet, the tension escalated as Annika Stewart connected on a 3-pointer, closing the gap to 95-92 with 20 seconds remaining.

Smikle would seal the game by converting two more free throws, leaving Minnesota unable to respond effectively. Amaya Battle led the Gophers with 19 points but could not carry her team to victory. Despite being ranked for the first time since late 2019, Minnesota faced an uphill battle against Maryland’s formidable defense and shooting prowess. The Terrapins were leading 42-37 at halftime and managed to stretch their lead to double digits during the third quarter despite losing guard Bri McDaniel to a knee injury early on.

In terms of game takeaways, Minnesota had only allowed two teams to score over 60 points all season, but the Terrapins surpassed that benchmark by the end of the third quarter with a total of 73 points. Minnesota displayed remarkable grit in their late rally, reminiscent of their earlier form. Conversely, the Terrapins displayed sharp shooting in the second half, boasting a 66% field goal percentage and successfully landing 7 of 11 attempts from beyond the arc. However, they struggled with seven turnovers in the fourth quarter, which kept the game within reach for Minnesota.

A pivotal moment came when the Terrapins engineered a 16-4 run in the third quarter, widening their lead to 14 points with Allie Kubek hitting a 3-pointer to make it 60-46. The game also featured standout statistics, with Maryland maintaining perfection at the free-throw line by making all 21 attempts.

Looking ahead, this match marked the beginning of a challenging stretch for Maryland, with four consecutive games against ranked opponents. The Terrapins are set to face No. 7 Texas in Newark, New Jersey, on Monday, while Minnesota will look to regroup against Northwestern on Sunday.