MADISON, WI – In her first start of the season, junior guard Bri McDaniel scored a season-high 21 points as No. 8 Maryland women's basketball defeated Wisconsin 83-68 on Saturday at Kohl Center. The Terps (15-1, 5-1 Big Ten) improved their perfect head-to-head series record with the Badgers to 14-0, winning their seventh matchup on the road. At 15-1, the Terps have equaled their best start to a season since 2018-19, when they were also 15-1.
With two starters sidelined, the Terps were tied at 62-62 less than a minute into the fourth quarter before reeling off a 14-0 run to put the game away midway through the fourth quarter. Maryland built a 79-64 edge with 3:26 left in regulation. McDaniel scored six points during the run, doing most of her damage in the paint. She helped Maryland boast a glaring advantage in the paint, outscoring Wisconsin 54-20.
McDaniel also dished out four assists, grabbed five rebounds and nabbed three steals. She stepped up in pivotal moments throughout the game and finished her outing by shooting 9-of-15 from the floor. The junior earned her seventh 20+ point performance of her career.
Other standouts included Shyanne Sellers, Christina Dalce and Kaylene Smikle, who all scored in double figures.
Sellers scored 21 on 7-of-9 shooting and 7-of-8 from the line. Smikle scored in double figures for the 15th straight game, tallying 18 points while corraling eight rebounds.
Dalce netted 15 points and grabbed eight boards, falling just short of a double-double. She has now scored 15 or more points in back-to-back games.
Saylor Poffenbarger missed the game with an illness while Sarah Te-Biasu was sidelined due to an ankle injury. Both players had played in all 15 games prior to Saturday.
Wisconsin (10-7, 1-5 Big Ten) was led by Serah Williams (24 points) and Lily Krahn (16 points). Krahn netted a career-high on 5-of-9 shooting from three-point range.
Breaking Down The Action
- Maryland led 7-4 at the first media timeout. Christina Dalce tallied five points to lead the way.
- The Terps ignited a 10-0 run, forcing the Badgers to take a timeout. Kaylene Smikle scored six of the points on the run, capping it off with a 3-pointer. Maryland led 20-10 with 1:34 left in the first.
- A 3-pointer by Wisconsin brought them within two points at 34-32. Maryland took a timeout with 3:34 left before halftime.
- Maryland led 45-38 at halftime. Bri McDaniel was putting on a show in her first start of the season. She led the way with 13 points.
- The Badgers took the lead at 49-47 after Serah Williams scored a layup at 7:28 in the third. Maryland took a timeout as they were on an 8-0 run.
- Maryland took the lead back with a layup by Dalce at 4:25. The Terps maintained the lead heading into the final frame at 62-60.
- The Terps sparked a 14-0 run midway through the fourth to put the game away. McDaniel scored six of the points during the run, and the Terps closed out the game with a win.
Double-Figure Factors
- Bri McDaniel scored 21 points for her 31st game scoring in double figures. She has scored double figures in nine games this season.
- Shyanne Sellers scored 21 points, recording her 81st career game in double figures. She has scored double-figures in 14 games this season and 12 games in a row.
- Kaylene Smikle scored 18 points, her 53rd career double-figure game. This was her 15th consecutive game netting double-digit points as a Terp.
- Christina Dalce provided 15 points for her 33rd career game in double figures. She has scored in double-figures in nine games this season.
Sellers On The Charts
- Shyanne Sellers is 19th on the program's all-time scoring list with 1458. Next on the list is Marché Strickland, with 1,450 from 1999-02.
- The point guard is seventh on the all-time assists list, having 473 in her career. Next on the list is Anjalé Barrett (486 from 2008-12).
Series History
- The Terps are 14-0 vs. the Badgers all time, including being 7-0 at the Kohl Center.
- Maryland took last year's meeting, 79-63, in College Park on Feb. 29, 2024.
- Brenda Frese is 15-1 vs. the Badgers in her career, including her time at Minnesota (2002-03).
Numbers And Nuggets To Know
- 7: This was Bri McDaniel's seventh 20+ point performance of her career.
- 8: Maryland is ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press poll.
- 11: The Terps held an opponent to under 10 points in a quarter for the 11th time this season.
- 12: Shyanne Sellers has scored in double figures in 12 straight games.
- 14: The Terps are 14-0 all-time vs. the Badgers and 7-0 in games at Kohl Center.
- 15: Sellers scored 20 or more points for the 15th time in her career and the third time this season.
- 15: Kaylene Smikle has scored in double figures in 15 straight games.
- 16: The Terps have forced their opponent to commit double-digit turnovers in all 16 games this season.
- 21: McDaniel scored a season-high 21 points.
- 72: The Terrapins are 72-5 over the last four seasons and 14-0 this season when leading at the half.
- 101: The Terps are 101-7 when they score 80 points or more over the last six seasons.
- 243: Since quarters started in women's basketball in 2015-16, Maryland is now 243-3 when leading after three quarters.
Up Next
- Maryland returns to XFINITY Center to play Minnesota on Jan. 14. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and air on Big Ten Network.
