Despite a strong defensive effort against one of the nation’s highest-scoring teams, Maryland women’s basketball couldn’t keep up in the second half of a 74-69 loss against host Michigan State on Tuesday night at the Breslin Center.
The Spartans, who entered Tuesday averaging 91.1 points per game, third-best in the country, were held to just 22 points in the first half on 9-for-30 (30%) shooting from the field. But after trailing by seven at halftime, Michigan State outscored Maryland 24-14 in the third quarter to retake the lead and poured in 28 points in the fourth.
A 10-2 run and two free throws by Shyanne Sellers briefly gave the Terps the lead in the fourth quarter, but the Spartans hit back-to-back 3-pointers to go ahead for good.
Julia Ayrault and Moira Joiner each scored 20 points to lead Michigan State (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten), which bounced back from a 76-73 loss last Tuesday at No. 4 Iowa on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark. Theryn Hallock added 14 points off the bench, while DeeDee Hagemann chipped in 12.
Sellers led the way with 23 points and Bri McDaniel finished with a career-high 20 for Maryland (10-5, 2-2), which received an unexpected week off after Saturday’s game against visiting Purdue was postponed because of a leak in the roof at Xfinity Center. It was rescheduled for Sunday in College Park before a visit from No. 17 Ohio State on Wednesday.
McDaniel, who left the game midway through the second quarter before returning in the second half, also contributed eight rebounds and three steals, while Sellers added nine rebounds, two steals and one block. No other players scored in double figures for the Terps, who shot 40% from the field and 22-for-23 from the free throw line but went just 3-for-13 from 3-point range. Maryland entered Tuesday ranked 10th in the country and first in the Big Ten in free throws made per game (16.86).
Jakia Brown-Turner finished with two blocks for the Terps, who also recorded seven steals and forced 11 turnovers. Brinae Alexander added nine points, Faith Masonius chipped in eight points and six rebounds and Riley Nelson scored five points.
Purdue at Maryland
Sunday, noon
Stream: BTN+