The Defending National Champion South Carolina Gamecocks visited College Park for a big early season matchup.
Brenda Frese and her team are rather low in the rankings this season, after they suffered a number of transfers this off-season. The Terrapins are also looking to build a resumé for the end of the year, but that can come with some rough nights to start the season.
Within six days of playing at number one Connecticut, Maryland had a chance to get a signature win, but fell short with a final of 94-86 in favor of the Gamecocks.
A rough first quarter saw the Terrapins turn the ball over five times, and get out-rebounded 11-4. Frese’s teams have always been good with rebounding, finishing second in the nation last season with a rebounding margin of 13.9 per game.
This sluggish start ended up being just enough to keep Maryland out of the game, despite hanging tough with the Gamecocks throughout the rest of the first half.
South Carolina was led by A’ja Wilson, the ESPNW favorite to win Player of the Year in Women’s basketball. She had 18 of the Gamecocks’ 51 first half points, helping them garner a 15 point lead with two quarters left to play.
No Maryland players were in double figures through the first 20 minutes, proving that there is no dominant leader that the Terrapins are used to having.
The second half was no easier for Maryland, as South Carolina’s first quarter success held up through the end.
The Terrapins used a 32-21 fourth quarter to cut South Carolina’s lead to as little as five. The Gamecocks stood tall on defense, and Maryland could not quite overcome the deficit.
Kaila Charles led the way for Maryland with 31 points, and Blair Watson showed her shooting strengths, making four of Maryland’s seven made three-point shots. The team as a whole will have to spread this scoring around as the season continues.
For Frese, this game can serve as a very tough test before their exam against number one Connecticut. She will need to find a solid core group of ladies that can handle the physical workload required to hang with the Huskies.
Limiting turnovers and holding a close scoreline early will also be key for this team trying to upset the Connecticut Huskies. That game tips Sunday November 19th, at 1:30pm on ESPN.