There was no more fitting word to describe Sunday’s 64-61 loss for the Maryland women’s basketball team to six-seeded Texas. The No. 2 seed Terrapins entered their Sweet 16 contest against the Longhorns averaging a nation’s best 91.8 points per game. They averaged 99 points in their first two wins in the NCAA Tournament.
However, when the final buzzer sounded, Maryland had a mere 61 points, its lowest total of the season.
Texas did a marvelous job negating Maryland’s speed and transition by slowing the pace of the game on offense. The Longhorns worked the perimeter looking for open shots. Often times they waiting for the shot clock dwindle down to 15 seconds before getting into their offense.
The slowed pace seemingly frustrated Maryland at times. The Terrapins responded pressing the issue on offense, searching for a moment to seize control of the game much like they did all season long.
Maryland struggled shooting the three making just 5-of-22 for 22.7%. Texas was 6-of-15 from three.
Still through their struggles, Maryland led 56-52 with 6:27 remaining in the fourth quarter. Then they went cold. Even after the game was tied 59-59, Maryland just couldn’t execute on offense.
The turning point came late in the fourth when leader Ashley Owusu telegraphed a pass to Mimi Collins which was picked off by Texas’ Lauren Ebo. The turnover led to an immediate fast break opportunity for Texas with Kyra Lambert finishing a layup for the go-ahead bucket with 45 seconds left.
Still Maryland had chances. Diamond Miller missed a potential go-ahead three. She later missed a layup on the same possession. Later Maryland had another chance down three, but Katie Brezan was unable to hit a game-tying three.
Texas was led by their superstar Charli Collier with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Celeste Taylor had 15 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Joanne Allen-Taylor added 14 points and five assists.
Meanwhile, Diamond Miller led Maryland an losing effort with a game-high 21 points and eight rebounds. Owusu was limited to 10 points and five assists as she just didn’t have many chances to drive in the lane or create spacing for her jump shot.
The loss stings. Maryland finishes the season 26-3. Sunday’s loss to Texas was yet another disappointing end to the season for Brenda Frese and her Terrapins. Another Big Ten regular season and conference tournament title that resulted in an unexpected exit from the NCAA Tournament.
