Welcome to March ladies and gentlemen, which means madness is happening. Well let me be clear, we aren't even in the March Madness Tournament yet, and chaos is already ensuing. Maryland women's basketball has just taken down the top-ranked and one-seeded Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament.
Can you say madness?
Just so we are clear, this was not a close game at the end, Maryland won this game 82-61 and this was after they played yesterday against Illinois. This was the third time this season these teams have played each other with Ohio State taking the first two matchups. The Terrapins picked a great time to get their first win over the Buckeyes this season.
GOING TO THE SEMIS!! @TerpsWBB takes down No. 1 Ohio State 🐢🔥 pic.twitter.com/0yWbez3hun
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 8, 2024
Maryland had a very balanced offensive attack with four players in double digits. The leading scorer for the Terrapins was Shyanne Sellers who dropped 25 points going 9 for 17 from the floor and 7 for 10 from the free-throw line. Jakia Brown-Turner and Brinae Alexander added to the scoring affair with 19 a piece and Faith Masonius rounded it out with 15 points starting the game 6 for 6 from the field.
The Terrapins made a living off of second-chance points scoring 19 points off of offensive rebounds. Ohio State could not find their footing coming out of the half after being down eight. The Terrapins out-rebounded the Buckeyes 55 to 31 and were lethal on the offensive boards with 21 versus Ohio State's 10.
After getting the lead in the second half, Maryland never relinquished it again. Ohio state came within three twice during the third quarter but after sloppy play and costly fouls, the Terrapins began to run away with it.
It could be seen on the broadcast at the end of the game Seller yelling something into the camera. Speaking with analysts, Sellers revealed that she said "We are peaking at the right time." Coming into the Big Ten Tournament, Maryland was not a lock for the NCAA Tournament, but with a convincing win like this, they could have just improved their chances.
This is just the third time in the Big Ten Tournament that a one-seed has been beaten. The Buckeyes were the last team to take down a one-seed when they beat Penn State back in 2014. Seems only fitting Maryland takes down the Buckeyes ten years later to move on in the tournament.