COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Sophomores Diamond Miller and Ashley Owusu each scored 20 points, and No. 7 Maryland breezed past Michigan State 92-52 Thursday to provide coach Brenda Frese her 498th victory with the Terrapins.
Maryland (12-2, 8-1 Big Ten) took control with a 17-0 run in the first quarter, led by 20 at halftime and coasted to the finish. With the win, Maryland picked up its 100th win in league play since joining the Big Ten in the 2014-15 season. The Terrapins own a record of 100-13 (.885) in conference games.
Four players scored in double figures for the Terps, who bounced back in impressive fashion after having their 10-game winning streak snapped earlier in the week at Ohio State. Miller added 10 rebounds for her second career double-double.
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"I could tell we were locked in from the moment we stepped on the practice court yesterday to the tip today," Frese said. "Just loved the response. I think it continues to show the character in our locker room. We were disappointed in the result at Ohio State, not having consistent energy in that game. I thought you saw this team for 40 minutes. It was one of our most dominating performances up to date.
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"It started with Diamond and Chloe. They started the first quarter for us, really dominating. Love the response by Diamond in this game on both ends of the floor. It allowed us to get everyone involved."
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Frese moved within one win of matching the program record held by Hall of Fame coach Chris Weller, whom Frese replaced in 2002. Frese is 498-130 with the Terrapins and 555-160 overall, including two seasons at Ball State and one at Minnesota.
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Nia Clouden scored 15 for Michigan State (9-3, 4-3). The Spartans shot 34%, were outrebounded 39-27 and committed 24 turnovers.
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The game was originally scheduled for Feb. 10, but was moved up after both teams had an opening due to postponements caused by COVID-19. Since Jan. 10, Michigan State has had three games postponed and played only twice.
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The Spartans got off to a decent start before Maryland took over with a 17-point blitz that made it 20-7. Miller got things started with a 3-pointer and a layup before
Chloe Bibby scored on a fast break, hit a 3 and sank two free throws.
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Seven different Terrapins scored in a first quarter that ended with Maryland up 27-15. The outset of the second period was more of the same, with Bibby, Miller,
Katie Benzan and Owusu each contributing to a 13-1 spree that increased the margin to 24.
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It was 50-30 at halftime, and by that point the only suspense was whether the Terps would reach the 100-point mark for fourth time this season. Maryland came in as the highest-scoring team in the country (92 points per game).
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The Terrapins made 14 3-pointers, their most since drilling 21 on Dec. 3 against Towson.
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Maryland's next scheduled game is Thursday, Feb. 4 vs. Wisconsin (3-10, 0-10) at the XFINITY Center. The Terps and the Badgers will tip off at 4 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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