In a thrilling overtime showdown, Maryland’s Sarah Te-Biasu secured a victory for the 19th-ranked Terrapins with a last-second running 3-pointer, leading them to a 93-90 win over the 12th-ranked Ohio State in the concluding game of the regular season for the Big Ten Conference on Sunday.
This victory positions the Terrapins at 23-6 overall and 13-5 in the conference, tying them with Ohio State, who stands at 24-5 overall and shares the same conference record. The result places both teams in a third-place tie in the final Big Ten standings. Maryland, owning the No. 4 seed, and Ohio State, the No. 3 seed, both secure a bye into the quarterfinal round of the upcoming conference tournament scheduled for Thursday.
In regulation play, Cotie McMahon’s layup brought the Buckeyes level with Maryland at 78-78 with just 29 seconds remaining, pushing the game into overtime. Ohio State quickly gained a five-point advantage in the extra period. Nonetheless, the Terrapins were not deterred. Te-Biasu’s jumper and Shyanne Sellers’ layup narrowed the margin to a single point as the game clock ticked below three minutes.
Kaylene Smickle confidently sank two free throws, and following McMahon’s second field goal in overtime, nailed a 3-pointer to draw Maryland even at 87-87 with 1:25 left. After Ohio State briefly took the lead with a free throw, Te-Biasu capitalized on an opportunity to drive and score a decisive layup, before Allie Kubek added a free throw, moving the Terrapins ahead to 90-88.
Ohio State managed to tie the game again with just seven seconds remaining, courtesy of Madison Greene. Te-Biasu, however, responded by receiving the inbounds pass and speeding down the court to deliver the game-winning 3-pointer just before time ran out.
Smikle was a standout performer for Maryland, leading the team with 26 points and eight rebounds. Sellers contributed significantly with 21 points and eight assists, while Kubek added 17 points and Te-Biasu rounded off with 15. Christina Dalce was a formidable presence with 11 rebounds before fouling out near the end of the game.
Ohio State’s Taylor Thierry topped her team’s scoring with 21 points. McMahon followed with 18 points, as Ajae Petty and Madison Greene both added 12, and Jaloni Cambridge chipped in with 10 points.
The game sets the stage for both teams as they prepare to enter the critical elimination rounds of the Big Ten Conference tournament.
