In the 2015 national semifinal game, the UConn Huskies bit right through Maryland’s shell on their way to a 23 point thrashing of the Terrapins. Tonight, the teams met at Madison Square Garden in Maryland’s first truly meaningful game of the season. While the Huskies again came away on the long end of an 83-73 score the Terps showed that the gap is closing and that Maryland is, indeed, ready for prime time.
Junior center Brionna Jones was simply unstoppable on the inside scoring 24 points on 12 of 14 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds and picking up three steals. Jones’ effort was nearly enough to offset the work of two time Player of the Year Breanna Stewart. Stewie, as her coach Geno Auriemma calls her had a typical night at the office putting up 23 points with six rebounds, seven assists, two blocked shots and a steal. The first of those blocks came in the middle of a 10-0 third quarter UConn run as the Huskies responded after the Terps had grabbed a 43-41 lead on a traditional three point play by freshman Breanna Fraser who was playing in her hometown.
Connecticut took a nine point lead into the fourth quarter and quickly opened it to 12 but the Terps fought back closing to within four on a three point shot be Tierney Pfirman with just over a minute to play. However, UConn’s Saniya Chong stuck in the dagger on the ensuing possession when she bombed an NBA range three pointer from the corner.
THE GOOD
After being out rebounded by five in the first half, Maryland responded to their coach’s halftime exhortation and ended the game with a 36-35 edge.
Sophomore guard Kristen Confroy lit up the Huskies with four second half three pointers.
Brionna Jones solidified her position as one of the country’s top post players.
Under Auriemma, Connecticut is a team that limits their opponent’s free throw opportunities and they did so again tonight giving Maryland just eight chances from the line. The Terps failed to capitalize making just three and watching two of their better free throw shooters – Brene Mosely and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough each miss a pair.
In addition to Stewart turnovers did the Terps in. Maryland had 22 for the game leading to 20 Connecticut points. The Huskies made the better halftime adjustment. After turning the ball over 13 times in the first half, they had only one in the second.
Tonight was a game where Maryland suffered the absence of Lexie Brown. Maryland’s point guard combo of Chloe Pavlech and Brene Moseley combined for just nine points on 3-13 shooting and 1-6 from beyond the arc.
Overall, this was a strong effort by Brenda Frese’s team one that showed the Terps worthy of their lofty ranking. Maryland opens Big Ten play on New Year’s Eve in Champaign-Urbana when they face Illinois in a 3:00 pm start. They open their home schedule on Saturday at noon hosting the Ohio State Buckeyes in a game that will be televised nationally by CBS.
Lace ‘em up. It’s time to get serious.
freddy from boca
nice article, todd. well written.
uconn was prime for defeat last night. terps a little too sloppy. needed one more player to step up. game effort, though. should help the team’s confidence despite the loss.
funny how in early in the game doris burke was saying you have to make a lot of 3’s to beat uconn and towards the end mentioning brionna jones of the terps should touch the ball on every possession.
· 11/12/2019
Todd
Thanks Freddy. I think Doris was off her game a bit last night. She blathered one or two other head scratchers that don’t come to mind at the moment but I remember thinking ,”Huh?” when she said them.
· 11/12/2019