COLLEGE PARK, Md.  – Kaila Charles scored 23 points and No. 20 Maryland controlled the first and last quarters to defeat Nebraska 87-69 on Thursday night.
 
Freshman Ashley Owusu added 16 points, senior Stephanie Jones 14 and freshman Diamond Miller 13 for the Terrapins (13-4, 4-2 Big Ten Conference). Charles chipped in seven boards, three steals and three blocks. ​
 
"I'm really excited to be able to see us put together two solid games," head coach Brenda Frese said. "I thought we had two great days of practice, where communication and energy was where we needed it to be on the defensive end and I thought in some long stretches of time, translated in the game tonight. Our defense obviously led to our offense, where we were able to force five turnovers to be able to get into this easy plays on the offensive end.
 
"We continue to be led by our veterans. I think our seniors continue to set the tone for us, but just the play of both Diamond [Miller] and Ashley [Owusu] have really kind of helped propel us to take a step forward. So just continuing to need that consistency from them. That energy off the bench has been huge for us."
 
Miller had a pair of 3-pointers in a 12-0 run in the first quarter and Owusu, who had two baskets in the run, hit a jumper in the closing seconds to give the Terps a 26-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
Charles added eight points in the second quarter to help the Terrapins lead 43-34 at the half.
 
Nebraska (13-4, 3-3) took the third quarter, 21-18, to cut the Terrapins' lead to six at 59-53 with 1:31 left in the period. Maryland led 61-55 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Owusu made a jumper to start the fourth quarter, then Shakira Austin made another to push it back to a 10-point lead for Maryland. The Terrapins pulled away by making 11 of 18 shots in the fourth quarter.
 
Maryland 51.5 percent from the floor, despite going 4 of 16 from distance. Nebraska had 20 turnovers which Maryland turned into 29 points.
 
Nicea Eliely and Leigha Brown both scored 19 for the Cornhuskers
 
Charles has started in all 120 games of her career. She has a chance to break Alyssa Thomas' record of 135 career games started. Her 120 career games started are sixth in Maryland's record book.
 
After Thursday's game, the Terps will take on No. 15/16 Indiana (14-4, 4-2) Monday at 8 p.m. in College Park. For tickets, click here.
 
Monday's game is Blair Watson Bobblehead Night. All fans in attendance will receive a scratch-off ticket upon entry into the arena and 400 lucky fans will take home a Blair Watson bobblehead.
 
The Terps-Hoosiers matchup will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
 
The Associated Press contributed to this report.