COLLEGE PARK, Md.  (AP) – Midway through the third quarter and holding a 30-point lead, the ninth-ranked Maryland players were still not happy with their performance.

They wanted a better effort on defense and coach Brenda Frese called a timeout to lead a discussion. The moment underscored how the Terrapins are taking ownership of their season.

Katie Benzan scored 22 points, including 6 of 12 from 3-point range, to lead Maryland past Illinois 103-58 on Wednesday.

"Our team, our captains really took ownership," Frese said. "They weren't happy with how many points (the Fighting Illini) were scoring. At that point, they had 53 points, and they finished with 58. The ownership is there. We get that we can score the basketball. You see that. There's an understanding that we have to tighten things up on the defensive end. It's coming. It's exciting."

Chloe Bibby had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Terrapins, who extended their winning streak to four games. Ashley Owusu added 17 points and seven assists, while Diamond Miller had 11 points and seven assists for Maryland (15-2, 11-1 Big Ten).

The Terrapins lead the nation with 91.7 points per game, but their defense was just as impressive, smothering the Fighting Illini (3-14, 1-13). Maryland was also unselfish, finishing with 24 assists on 38 field goals.

"When we get our defense in lockdown, it's just so much fun to play with," Bibby said. "Everyone feeds off that energy. If we're locked in, I don't think anyone can really beat us."
Maryland set the early tone by scoring 10 points off seven turnovers in the opening four minutes. Illinois struggled with Maryland's traps and trailed 29-11 at the end of the first quarter.

A 3-pointer by Benzan gave Maryland a 43-17 lead with 6:06 remaining in the second quarter. The Fighting Illini never pulled within 20 points the rest of the way.

"As a team, we just punched first and dominated," Benzan said. "As coach (Frese) always says, we took their air right in the first quarter."
Wednesday's contest was the Terrapins' annual Pink Game to support breast cancer awareness.
 
Maryland is now 12-0 vs. Illinois all-time and a combined 49-0 vs. Indiana, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State and Rutgers since joining the Big Ten in 2014.
 
Next, Maryland will host Minnesota (7-9, 6-8) Saturday at noon at the XFINITY Center. The Terps-Gophers game will be streamed online through BTN Plus.
 
Saturday's game is one of five Maryland women's basketball games that can be heard on the Maryland Sports Radio Network here.
 
Maryland took the first meeting between the two teams, 90-73, in Minneapolis on Jan. 14. Diamond Miller led the way with 23 points, Bibby scored 22 and Benzan added 20.