COLLEGE PARK, MD – The No. 12 Maryland women's basketball team used a balanced, unselfish effort to earn an 87-59 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday afternoon at the XFINITY Center. The Terps (13-6, 5-3 B1G) were prolific from three-point range in the game, making a season-high 18-of-31 from behind the line.
 
Along with shooting 58% from three, Maryland also hit 48% from the field. The 18 three-pointers were the most by Maryland since their hit a Big Ten record 21 vs. Towson last season. 

Maryland had five players finish in double figures with Katie Benzan (17 points), Ashley Owusu (15 points), Diamond Miller (15 points), Shyanne Sellers (14 points), and Chloe Bibby (12 points) all scoring at least 10 points. Benzan led the charge from three-point range as she hit five threes, with Sellers hitting four, and Miller and Owusu hitting three each. 

The Terps were dominant on the defensive end as they held the Wildcats to just 37% shooting and 25% shooting from three. 

Maryland also dished out 24 assists on 30 total field goals and scored 21 points off of turnovers. 

Brenda Frese's Take
"Our energy was the start today. You know when I watched the game on Thursday, I saw the effort and energy which is something we need to have every day and we want to continue to build on this. We love how it felt today. I thought it started with the unselfishness. When you look at the stats - 24 assists on 30 made baskets, that's the way we want to play. That's Maryland Basketball. I thought we were really smart to kick it out, moving the ball to get really great shots. So we're moving the needle in that area.
 
"I thought Shy was a tremendous spark off the bench. I loved her response coming off of tough game last game out. We just had a phenomenal response. And then, [Veronica] Burton, she's a stud, love her game, but I thought we did a great job making her work. I mean, she only had nine points, no steals in this game and then averages over 17 points. I thought that was a great defensive effort collectively as a team. A season high in threes, 18 threes, again, thought we were really unselfish. Taking care of the basketball, with only 13 turnovers so, a really well-rounded game."

Breaking Down The Action

• The Terps opened the game by hitting four consecutive three-pointers with Benzan, Bibby, and Sellers all connecting from distance as the Terps opened up a 12-9 lead with 4:01 remaining in the first quarter. Maryland would end up holding an 18-14 lead after one over the Wildcats behind Sellers' game-high six points.
• Benzan's three-pointer with 6:05 left in the first half gave Maryland its largest lead of 10 (26-16). Three consecutive three-pointers from Owusu, Benzan, and Miller ballooned the Terps lead to 35-18 with 3:07 left. The Terps ended the half up 39-23, with Benzan and Owusu leading the team with nine points apiece. 
• The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, but Maryland was able to build its lead even more thanks to the team hitting its last four shots, including another three-pointer from Owusu. The Terps would take a commanding 67-39 lead into the fourth and final quarter.
• Maryland cruised in the fourth quarter with head coach Brenda Frese emptying the bench, allowing Emma Chardon and Taisiya Kozlova to see extended action. 

Double-Figure Update

• Benzan (17 points) hit double-figures for the 91st time in her career and ninth this year.
• Owusu (15 points) has scored in double-figures in 17 of 19 games this season and now has 64 career games in double-figures. It was Owusu's fourth game this season with 20-plus points. 
• Miller (15 points) scored in double-figures for the sixth time this season and 46th time in her career.
• Sellers (14 points) scored in double-figures for the eighth time this season. 
• Bibby (12 points) hit double-figures for the 12th time this season and 63rd time in her career.

B1G Time Dominance

• The Terps are 175-48 (.785) all-time against their Big Ten opponents.
• Since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15, the Terrapins are 133-18 (.881) vs. their conference opponents.
• Since joining the league in 2014, Maryland is 59-5 (.921) against Big Ten teams at home. 

Series History

• Sunday's matchup was the 13th all-time between Maryland and Northwestern, with the Terps owning the series at 12-1.
• The Terps won both meetings last year, 62-50 in Evanston on Feb. 28 and 82-52 in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals on March 12.

Up Next

• The Terps will welcome the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to the XFINITY Center on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
• The game will be broadcast on B1G+ and the Maryland Sports Radio Network