INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.  –  Junior Kaila Charles scored 16 of her 21 points in the second half and No. 8 Maryland used a stifling defense Friday to pull away from Michigan State 71-55 in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. 
 
The Terrapins (27-3) head into Saturday's semifinal game with 12 wins in their last 13 games and chasing their fourth league tourney crown in five years. They've already won the Big Ten's regular-season title.
 
Jenna Allen had 19 points and seven rebound to lead Michigan State, which made only seven baskets in the second half. The Spartans (20-11) have lost two of their last three as they wait to find out their postseason plans.
 
Charles added 10 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals as well. Junior Stephanie Jones had 14 points and 11 rebounds, doing most of her damage in the first half for Maryland. Junior Blair Watson hit three threes and finished with 11 points.
 
But defense was the difference in this game.
 
Maryland held Michigan State to 6-of-26 shooting to start the game and jumped to a 34-19 lead late in the first half.
 
Then, after the Spartans closed the half on a 12-1 run and opened the second half with a layup to get within 35-33, the Terrapins' defense was virtually impenetrable -- allowing just over the next 11 1/2 minutes.
 
And with Charles taking charge in the post, Maryland used an 11-0 run to take a 46-33 lead midway through the third before closing the quarter on a 10-4 run that made it 60-41.
 
Michigan State never got closer than 19 until the final minutes.
 
With the win Friday, Maryland won its 999^th game in its 48^th season as a program. The Terrapins own an all-time record of 999-425 (.702). Only 11 Division I programs have reached the 1,000-win mark.
 
Top-seeded Maryland will play No. 4-seeded Michigan (21-10) Saturday at 5 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Terps' matchup will be televised around the world on the Big Ten Network.
 
Fans can watch on the BTN2Go app or BTN2Go.com with their cable login information. For more on the Big Ten Tournament, including a full bracket, click here.
 
Brenda Frese was voted Big Ten Coach of the Year, for the third time in her career, by her peers and the media. Taylor Mikesell was voted Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the league's head coaches. She also earned All-Big Ten First Team honors by the media and Second Team honors by the coaches.
 
Kaila Charles was a unanimous First Team selection. Stephanie Jones earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors by the coaches and Second Team honors by the media. Shakira Austin earned Honorable Mention honors by the media and was named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. She and Mikesell made the All-Big Ten Freshman team.
 
Maryland is 12-1 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament after winning the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Tournament titles. The Terps are 9-1 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Frese is 12-2 in the Big Ten Tournament.
 
Mikesell has made 88 three-pointers this year and needs to make just four to top the program season record of 91 made by Kristi Toliver in 2008-09. Austin has 79 blocks this season and needs just two to top the program season record of 80 by Kris Kirchner in 1978-79.
 
The Associated Press contributed to this report.