Super-sophomore Olivia Olson began 8-for-8 from the sphere en route to 28 factors that led her No. 8 Michigan Wolverines to an 87-69 assertion win over the streaking No. 14 Maryland Terrapins Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor.
The Terps had received six in a row, together with street wins over No. 13 Ohio State and No. 15 Michigan State. Their sights had been set on a regular-season finale victory over a staff that’s only a notch higher than these groups, a win that would have pushed them up to the No. 2 line in ESPN’s Bracketology.
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But the Wolverines shut down any concepts Maryland had.
Seemingly all sport lengthy, Maryland had alternatives to maintain it nearer than it was, however poor play at key moments prevented them from doing so. Still, Michigan helped their very own trigger as properly. Syla Swords hit a troublesome 3 to shut the third quarter and make it a 15-point lead. Maryland had been on a 6-0 run earlier than Swords made two free throws throws after which that 3 to be sure that the Terps gained completely nothing in body—the Wolverines had been up 15 on the break.
Maryland was unable to pull off one other one in all their miraculous comebacks. Looking on the field rating and realizing you solely misplaced the second half by three factors isn’t a lot of a comfort prize.
Super taking pictures from sophomore stars spurred Michigan
Michigan was 2-for-2 from 3 within the first 7:33 of the sport and 3-for-3 over the ultimate 5:08, whereas going 5-for-11 in between. Treys from Te’Yala Delfosse at 5:08 and three:38 remaining gave them leads of 15 and 18, respectively. A Mila Holloway 3 with 2:14 to go pushed the benefit to 19. The Wolverines made positive to ship three daggers to make sure the miraculous Terps had no likelihood of coming again.
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Michigan received discipline objective proportion 56.7 to 44.1. They shot 10-for-13 (76.9 %) within the opening body.
Olson was phenomenal, ending 11-for-18 from the sphere and 3-for-4 from 3, with eight rebounds, 4 assists and three steals. Swords added 17 factors (2-for-4 from 3), 5 boards and 4 helpers. Holloway was out for a part of the sport due to an obvious harm, however returned and gave the Wolverines 12 factors (2-for-3 from 3) and 6 dimes. Delfosse managed to be a fourth Michigan participant in double figures (10 factors on 2-for-3 from 3) regardless of taking part in simply 14 minutes.
All 4 of these gamers are sophomores. Even if Michigan doesn’t win the nationwide championship this 12 months, they need to have two extra fairly good photographs at it with that core group. Of course that’s provided that nobody transfers, which we all know is rarely a given today.
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Familiar points—too many turnovers, too few 3s—emerged for Maryland
Isi Ozzy-Momodu returned from a decrease leg harm that had saved her out for practically three full video games. She had 12 factors on 5-for-9 taking pictures, 5 rebounds and two steals, but in addition 5 of Maryland’s 21 turnovers. Saylor Poffenbarger, the Terps’ fourth-leading scorer at 9.9 factors per sport, was held scoreless with only one shot try in 23 minutes.
Maryland solely tried 13 3s, making six. More 3s may need been good, although I’ve gotten snug watching the Oluchi Okananwa present, the place Maryland makes use of stellar 2-point effectivity to pile on factors. As comforting as 2-point photographs really feel, right this moment’s sport often requires an honest quantity of 3-point makes an attempt to win. Maryland has solely tried much less 3s as soon as in 2025-26, after they went 1-for-12 vs. Illinois in what was their first loss of the season.
Yarden Garzon, as standard, fulfilled her obligation of firing away if she sees even a little bit daylight, going for 4-for-10.
That means the Terps solely tried three different treys. Okananwa was 0-for-1. Poffenbarger, who makes an attempt 4.8 per contest, didn’t strive her hand at any. Addi Mack confirmed no hesitation on her two makes an attempt, which each went in, as her season proportion continues to creep nearer to the 30 % line.
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It is essential that Mack turn into an even bigger risk from distance each this 12 months and subsequent. Capable 3-point taking pictures recruits in Jordyn Jackson and Mimi Thiero will be part of the staff, and Kaylene Smikle will return, however Garzon and Poffenbarger shall be gone. It shall be significantly troublesome to exchange Garzon’s quantity and effectivity, and should be carried out by committee until the Terps get one other elite sniper out of the switch portal.
One massive optimistic for Maryland jumps off Saturday’s field rating: They had been 11-for-11 from the free throw line, together with Okananwa going 7-for-7. Across her in any other case spectacular performances within the Terps’ two earlier video games, she was truly 5-for-11 from the stripe. She’s at 76.6 % on the season with 3.7 makes per sport. Because she will get to the road so ceaselessly, her free throw taking pictures is an X issue for the Terps. If she’s flattening her freebies, she’s that rather more harmful.
The Terps’ Big Ten Tournament will start within the 2nd spherical
Even if the Terps had defeated Michigan, a double bye wouldn’t have been assured, however now they know they may have to play within the second spherical of the Big Ten Tournament and won’t mechanically advance to the quarterfinals.
A loss within the second spherical could be a giant hit to their resume. Though they are nearly assured to host the primary two rounds of the NCAA Tournament regardless, Maryland needs to keep above the No. 4 seed line for the Big Dance in order that they’ll keep away from taking part in one of many top-tier No. 1 seeds (proper now it’s projected to be UConn, UCLA, South Carolina and Texas) within the Sweet 16. That could possibly be the distinction between a Sweet 16 exit and an Elite Eight exit, and Maryland needs to advance so far as potential to improve the extent of satisfaction and honor they obtain for this system.
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With that being stated, the final word objective remains to be a nationwide championship.
If the Terps can maintain enterprise within the second spherical of the Big Ten tourney, they may probably enter the quarterfinals combating to transfer from the No. 3 line to the No. 2 line within the NCAA Tournament bracket. As a No. 2 or No. 3 seed within the Big Dance, they’ll use the primary three video games to put together, after which put all of it on the road in opposition to a type of feared No. 1s.
Not a lot modifications concerning the staff’s outlook with Saturday’s loss. The last margin of 18 was a bit greater than anticipated, nevertheless it wasn’t as unhealthy because the 27 factors that final 12 months’s Big Ten Tournament loss to Michigan got here by—and that was when the Terps had been favored. That simply proves that something can occur.
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Head coach Brenda Frese was even-keeled as standard in her response to the defeat:
I believe we all the time perceive the angle. Hopefully it’s type of a wake-up name for us. There are plenty of nice groups. Michigan’s a high 10 opponent, and this is what it’s gonna seem like once we go to the Big Ten Tournament, in addition to the NCAAs. So if we are able to be taught some precious classes out of this sport and have the ability to transfer on by means of it, I believe nice issues are in retailer for this group.