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University of Maryland Athletics

Oluchi
26
Loyola Maryland Loyola 0-1,0-0 Patriot
80
Winner Maryland MD 1-0,0-0 Big Ten
Loyola Maryland Loyola
0-1,0-0 Patriot
26
Final
80
Maryland MD
1-0,0-0 Big Ten
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Loyola Maryland Loyola 11 4 6 5 26
Maryland MD 18 20 30 12 80

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Defense Shines As No. 10 Terps Open Season With 80-26 Win Over Loyola

Maryland had a historic night against the Greyhounds to open its 2025-26 campaign with a dominant victory.

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The No. 10 Terps opened their season with a win for the 17th season in a row, dominating the Loyola Greyhounds 80-26 at the Xfinity Center on Monday night.

Maryland allowed only 26 points on Monday, tied for the program's second-fewest under Brenda Frese and the program's third-fewest allowed ever. The total is tied for the fifth-fewest points allowed in a game in the program's history and the fewest allowed since allowing 26 against Belmont in 2019.
Oluchi Okananwa had a big night in her Terps' debut, collecting 18 points and three assists. Saylor Poffenbarger hit three three-pointers in her 11-point, five-rebound night while Addi Mack got her collegiate career started with six points in her debut. The Terps' defense was on full display early, holding the Greyhounds to four second-quarter points and just 15 in the first half — the program's lowest mark in a season-opener since at least 2000.

Maryland held Loyola scoreless for over eight minutes spanning across the second and third quarters. The Terps' physicality was evident on Monday and Maryland outrebounded the Greyhounds 39-25 and delivered 32 points in the paint while still being 10/21 from three-point range in its season-opening win.

How it Happened:
1st Quarter:
  • Okananwa recorded the Terps' first points of the season with a jumper.
  • Lea Bartelme drained the first three-pointer of 2025 to put Maryland ahead 7-5.
  • Okananwa hit a three of her own on the Terps' next possession.
  • Mack scored her first-career points with a layup to put Maryland ahead 16-8.
  • The Terps went on an 11-0 run late in the quarter to capture a 10-point advantage.
  • Maryland led 18-11 after the first quarter.
2nd Quarter:
  • Okananwa hit a pair of three-point shots for the frame's first six points.
  • Poffenbarger and Garzon added buckets from range in a 14-2 to start the quarter that put UMD ahead 32-13.
  • Loyola was held scoreless for the final five minutes of the half. 
  • Maryland outscored the Greyhounds 20-4 in the second quarter to take a 38-15 lead into the break.
3rd Quarter:
  • A Poffenbarger three got the scoring started in the second half. 
  • Maryland scored the frame's first seven points to extend its lead to 45-15.
  • The Terps continued to build their lead with another 8-0 run.
  • Breanna Williams drained Maryland's ninth three of the game late in the frame. 
  • The Terps held Loyola to six points in the quarter to take a 68-21 lead into the fourth. 
  • Maryland scored 30 points in the third quarter. 
4th Quarter:
  • The Terps outscored Loyola 12-5 in the final frame.
  • Kyndal Walker led Maryland with four points in the fourth quarter.
Numbers to Know:
  • 3: The Terps won their home opener for a third straight season.
  • 4: Maryland's four points allowed in the second quarter are its fewest in a frame since relenting three to Saint Francis last season.
  • 13: The Terps used 13 different players on Monday.
  • 17: Maryland has won 17 straight season openers.
  • 26: The 26 points allowed are tied for the Terps' fifth-fewest in a game in program history.
  • 27: Maryland improved to 27-3 over Loyola in the 30th all-time meeting with the Greyhounds.
  • 30: Maryland's 30 points in the third quarter were their most in a frame since its win over Norfolk State in last year's NCAA Tournament.
  • 31: The Terps have won 31 straight contests when leading after three quarters.
  • 80: Maryland's 80 points in the season-opening win are its most in an opener since scoring 98 in a win over Harvard in 2023.
Brenda's Breakdown:
  • "I love seeing how we came out. I thought we weren't afraid of the moment and we came out really strong and aggressive. I think you were able to see the depth that we have."
  • "I thought both Oluchi and Saylor really played the right way and played really good games."
  • "I thought our freshmen were really, really important tonight to be able to continue to gain valuable game experience."
  • "We didn't play the score. I thought we played to get better."
  • "It's nice to be able to have some of these games where we are able to provide depth right now, to be able to see what it's going to look like."
Okananwa's Takeaways:
  • "Coming into this game, regardless of the opponent, I wanted to come in with the mindset of having my foot on the gas."
  • "We are getting to know each other every day. We're making progress each day. So I think just like having those reps and talking, just building chemistry helps us know each other better on the court and off the court."
Up Next:
  • Maryland hosts UMBC at the Xfinity Center on Nov. 6. The game will start at 6 PM and air on B1G+.
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