COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The second-ranked Maryland women’s basketball team clinched at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season title, beating Minnesota 93-60 Sunday on a special day for senior stars Brionna Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough.
"Obviously I'm really extremely proud of this team to be able to send our seniors out in just an incredible day,” head coach Brenda Frese said. “Then when you talk about the consistency factor of back-to-back-to-back regular season titles. These guys work so hard but they make it look so easy. It's not easy. When you talk about that consistency level, playing at that level over the course of the season.”
Jones had 24 points and 14 rebounds, and Walker-Kimbrough tallied 27 points and six assists. Following their final regular-season home game, both players had their jersey numbers lifted to the rafters of the arena to honor their contributions to the program over the past four years.
Before that ceremony, the entire team posed with the trophy marking Maryland's third regular-season Big Ten title since joining the league three years ago. This week, the Terrapins (27-2, 15-1) will set out to win the conference tournament for the third year in a row.
Maryland jumped out to a 26-12 lead at the end of the first quarter against the Golden Gopher (14-15, 5-11). The Terps took a 51-30 lead into halftime.
The Terps continued to dominate in the second half, outscoring the Gophers 21-15 in each of the last two quarters.
The Terrapins also honored senior managers Amirah Grady, Ogechi Ihegbe and Ravens Jones before the game.
The 2017 senior class has led the Terps to two Final Fours, two conference tournament titles and three conference regular season crowns. They have earned a record of 120-16 (.882) overall and a record of 64-5 (.928) at home at the XFINITY Center.
Jones and Walker-Kimbrough are two of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award. Ten women’s basketball student-athletes who excel both on and off the court were selected as finalists for the 2016-17 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate basketball. To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be classified as NCAA Division I seniors and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
Maryland is the only school with multiple finalists. For more information on each of the finalists and to vote, click here.
Next, the Terrapins will compete in the Big Ten Tournament next week at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Terps have clinched a double-bye, so they will open their Big Ten Tournament run Friday. The full bracket with game times, matchups and television info will be announced Sunday evening.
For more on the Big Ten Tournament, clickhere.
"Obviously I'm really extremely proud of this team to be able to send our seniors out in just an incredible day,” head coach Brenda Frese said. “Then when you talk about the consistency factor of back-to-back-to-back regular season titles. These guys work so hard but they make it look so easy. It's not easy. When you talk about that consistency level, playing at that level over the course of the season.”
Jones had 24 points and 14 rebounds, and Walker-Kimbrough tallied 27 points and six assists. Following their final regular-season home game, both players had their jersey numbers lifted to the rafters of the arena to honor their contributions to the program over the past four years.
Before that ceremony, the entire team posed with the trophy marking Maryland's third regular-season Big Ten title since joining the league three years ago. This week, the Terrapins (27-2, 15-1) will set out to win the conference tournament for the third year in a row.
Maryland jumped out to a 26-12 lead at the end of the first quarter against the Golden Gopher (14-15, 5-11). The Terps took a 51-30 lead into halftime.
The Terps continued to dominate in the second half, outscoring the Gophers 21-15 in each of the last two quarters.
The Terrapins also honored senior managers Amirah Grady, Ogechi Ihegbe and Ravens Jones before the game.
The 2017 senior class has led the Terps to two Final Fours, two conference tournament titles and three conference regular season crowns. They have earned a record of 120-16 (.882) overall and a record of 64-5 (.928) at home at the XFINITY Center.
Jones and Walker-Kimbrough are two of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award. Ten women’s basketball student-athletes who excel both on and off the court were selected as finalists for the 2016-17 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate basketball. To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be classified as NCAA Division I seniors and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
Maryland is the only school with multiple finalists. For more information on each of the finalists and to vote, click here.
Next, the Terrapins will compete in the Big Ten Tournament next week at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Terps have clinched a double-bye, so they will open their Big Ten Tournament run Friday. The full bracket with game times, matchups and television info will be announced Sunday evening.
For more on the Big Ten Tournament, clickhere.
