COLLEGE PARK, Md.  –  No. 20/17 Maryland used a balanced team effort and a strong third quarter to stop No. 22/25 Northwestern, 70-61, Sunday afternoon at XFINITY Center.
 
The Terrapins (16-4, 7-2 B1G) won their fifth straight game and ended the Wildcats' five-game win streak. Maryland has beaten four teams ranked in the top 25 in the last month.
 
"Just a fun game, I mean we really wanted to come out and punch first and set the tone," head coach Brenda Frese said. "I thought we did that in the first quarter. Then, I thought Northwestern, being the great team that they are, made a terrific run in the second. Halftime came at about the right time for us to able to go in there and regroup.
 
"I am really proud of the punch we came back with in the third quarter and the second half. I think it speaks volumes to this team, just their fight and their commitment to stay the course. A month ago, we didn't quite adjust to this game that well, so I think you see the strides that we've been able to make coming out of that."
 
Stephanie Jones led Maryland with 14 points and 11 boards, eight on the offensive glass. Taylor Mikesell scored 14 points as well. Blair Watson added 13 points with seven boards and three steals and Ashley Owusu scored 13 with five assists.
 
Maryland controlled the first quarter, taking a 17-11 lead at the end of the period. Watson hit a three out of the gate to help get the Terrapins going.
 
Northwestern (17-3, 7-2) answered in the second quarter, outscoring the Terps 19-10. A bucket by Abbie Wolf started a 7-0 Wildcats run to take the lead at 18-17 with 7:06 left. Northwestern led 30-27 at halftime.
 
The teams traded baskets to start the third quarter. A layup by Jones with 4:10 left in the period jumpstarted an 11-1 run to end the quarter. Owusu scored six points in the run and made four of four free throws to help Maryland take a 48-40 lead to end the third.
 
Northwestern scored six quick points to cut the Terps' lead to two at 48-46 with 7:17. Maryland responded when freshman Faith Masonius was fouled, made both free throws, then scored again 20 seconds later to put it back to a six-point lead at 52-46. A bucket by Owusu with 3:57 to go put the Terrapins up 10 at 59-49.
 
Maryland won the battle on the glass, 45-29. The Terrapins scored 22 second chance points to just three for the Wildcats.
 
The Terrapins own the all-time series over Northwestern, 9-1.
 
Next, Maryland will travel to Ohio State (11-8, 4-4) for a 6:30 p.m. ET matchup Thursday in Columbus. The Terps-Buckeyes game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.