WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – No. 7 Maryland women's basketball overcame a 16-point first-half deficit to defeat Purdue, 78-69, in its Saturday conference opener at Mackey Arena. The Terps advanced to 10-0 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play, their best unbeaten streak to begin a season since starting 12-0 during the 2018-19 season.
Maryland trailed by 16 (31-15) at 5:41 in the second quarter. It then cut the lead to nine at halftime (38-29) before taking its first lead of the game (48-46) at 2:04 with a pull-up jumper by
Bri McDaniel that capped off an 8-0 run in the third quarter. The last time the Terps erased a deficit of 16 or more points was against James Madison on Nov. 13, 2019. Maryland trailed 60-41 (19 points) with 9:55 left in the fourth quarter and won.
The Terrapins remained in control the rest of the way as a byproduct of McDaniel's big second half and many other contributors. The junior guard scored 13 of her 16 points in the second half, hitting 5-of-7 from the floor over the final 20 minutes. The Terps outscored Purdue 48-29 in the second half, including a 26-14 margin in the decisive third quarter.
Saylor Poffenbarger led Maryland with 17 points, 12 of which she scored in the second half, and 12 rebounds for her 16th career double-double and third of the season.
Shyanne Sellers delivered 12 points, two assists and three rebounds.
Christina Dalce also tallied a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.
Kaylene Smikle chipped in with 13 points as five Terps scored in double-figures.
Maryland held a 39-30 advantage on the glass, continuing its streak of boasting an advantage in rebounds in every game this season. The Terps dominated the offensive boards with a 16-6 edge in that category.
Purdue (4-5, 0-1 Big Ten) was led by Rashunda Jones' 17 points.
Frese's Take
"Conference play in the best league in the country," head coach
Brenda Frese said. Anyone can beat anyone on any given night. … I'll never take a road win for granted, especially with our start. … I thought that Bri set the tone for us in that third quarter."
From The Girls
"It didn't really surprise me because that's Bri," Poffenbarger said regarding McDaniel's big second half. "Every day that she comes in, she shows up, she brings the energy, she's going to give you everything she has."
Breaking Down The Action
- The Terps trailed the Boilermakers 18-6 at the end of the first quarter.
- Maryland trailed by as many as 16 points (31-15) at 5:41 in the second. However, it cut the lead to nine (38-29) entering the break. Christina Dalce led the Terps with eight points.
- At the third quarter media timeout (4:46), the Terrapins trailed 46-40. Bri McDaniel had 10 points, scoring seven in the quarter to help bridge the gap.
- Maryland took its first lead (48-46) at 2:04 with a pull-up jumper by McDaniel that capped off an 8-0 run in the third quarter. The Terps then led 55-52 entering the final frame. McDaniel scored 13 third-quarter points.
- A layup by Kaylene Smikle put Maryland up by 10 (69-59) at 6:05 in the fourth. Purdue burned a timeout as Maryland was on an 8-0 run.
- Maryland called a timeout at 3:30, as Purdue was on a 6-0 run and trailed 69-65.
- The Terps closed out the game by outscoring Purdue 23-17 in the fourth.
Double-Figure Factors
- Saylor Poffenbarger tallied 17 points for her 32nd career game in double figures. It was her fifth game scoring double-figures as a Terp and fourth game in a row.
- Bri McDaniel scored 16 points for her 27th game scoring in double figures. She has scored double figures in five games this season.
- Kaylene Smikle netted 13 points for her 47th career game in double figures. It was her ninth game netting double-digit points as a Terp, doing so consecutively.
- Shyanne Sellers scored 12 points, recording her 75th career game in double figures. She has scored in double-figures in eight games this season.
- Christina Dalce provided 10 points for her 30th career game in double figures. She has scored in double-figures in six games this season.
Unstoppable Start
- Maryland advanced to 10-0 this season. This is Maryland's best unbeaten streak to begin a season since starting 12-0 during the 2018-19 season.
- In 2018-19, the Terps finished 29-5 with a trip to the Big Ten Tournament Championship game and NCAA Tournament Second Round.
- The Terrapins' best unbeaten streak to begin a season is 18-0 during the 2006-07 season.
Sellers On The Charts
- Shyanne Sellers moved up to 25th on the program's all-time scoring list with 1348. She passed Tara Heiss (1,350 from 1975-78) and Stephanie Cross (1,349 from 1995-98). Next on the list at No. 24 is Chequita Wood (1,372 from 1983-86)
- The point guard is also eighth on the all-time assists list with 451 in her career. Marissa Coleman is seventh with 453 from 2006-09.
Dominating The Series
- Today's matchup was the 20th all-time meeting between Maryland and Purdue. Maryland owns the series, 18-2, and has won 16 of the last 17 matchups and nine straight.
- The Terrapins took last year's meeting, 88-66, in College Park on Jan. 14.
Numbers To Know
- 5: This was the fifth game where five Terps scored in double figures.
- 6: Shyanne Sellers has scored in double figures in six straight games.
- 7: Maryland is ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press poll.
- 9: Kaylene Smikle has scored in double figures in nine straight games.
- 9: Maryland has won nine straight games against Purdue.
- 10: Maryland is 10-0 on the season for the first time since 2018-19.
- 10: The Terps have won the rebound battle in all 10 games this season.
- 10: The Terps have forced their opponent to commit double-digit turnovers in all ten games this season.
- 16: Saylor Poffenbarger recorded the 16th double-double of her career and her third as a Terp.
- 16: The Terps have won 16 of their last 17 matchups against the Boilermakers.
- 16: The Terps overcame a 16-point deficit, their largest since 2019.
- 39: Maryland had 39 offensive rebounds in the game to Purdue's 30.
- 238: Since quarters started in women's basketball in 2015-16, Maryland is now 238-3 when leading after three quarters.
Up Next
- Maryland returns to XFINITY Center for a three-game homestand, starting with a game against William & Mary on Thursday, Dec. 19. The game will tip off at 11 a.m. and air on Big Ten Plus. The game is Maryland's annual Field Trip Day, which is sold out with local elementary school students attending.
