CANCUN, MEXICO – Maryland wrapped up the Cancun Challenge Saturday afternoon with a victory over UMass, 92-63. The Terps finish the Thanksgiving weekend tournament with a 2-1 record, and return to College Park with a 4-3 overall record.
On the back of three double-digit scorers, Maryland never trailed en route to its largest margin of victory in the early season. The Terps jumped out to an 11-point lead after one quarter of play and then doubled the advantage heading into halftime.
The Terps thrived on both ends of the court, shooting 50.8% from the floor and 26-of-33 from the charity stripe. Defensively, Brenda Frese's squad wreaked havoc, forcing a season-high 28 turnovers while plucking a season-best 19 steals. Maryland's stealing success created transition opportunities, as the Terps outscored UMass 28-7 in fastbreak points and 42-16 in points off turnovers.
Jakia Brown-Turner put in her best effort as a Terp with 17 points and four boards. Shyanne Sellers pitched in 13 points and six assists, while Brinae Alexander tallied 13 points and led the defensive effort with a career-high six steals.
Head Coach Brenda Frese's Take"We were hoping that with the three games in three days we would be able to spread the minutes around, especially to our younger players. I thought our mentality was right when we came out. It was great to see Jakia and Shy get us going and Nae with her defense really set the tone. We were able to force a season high in turnovers and steals. It's nice to see Jakia have her most points as a Terp, with more to come. A career high for Nae with her steals, so just a nice way to end the tournament to extend some minutes to our bench."
Breaking Down The Action
Numbers To Know
Up Next
On the back of three double-digit scorers, Maryland never trailed en route to its largest margin of victory in the early season. The Terps jumped out to an 11-point lead after one quarter of play and then doubled the advantage heading into halftime.
The Terps thrived on both ends of the court, shooting 50.8% from the floor and 26-of-33 from the charity stripe. Defensively, Brenda Frese's squad wreaked havoc, forcing a season-high 28 turnovers while plucking a season-best 19 steals. Maryland's stealing success created transition opportunities, as the Terps outscored UMass 28-7 in fastbreak points and 42-16 in points off turnovers.
Jakia Brown-Turner put in her best effort as a Terp with 17 points and four boards. Shyanne Sellers pitched in 13 points and six assists, while Brinae Alexander tallied 13 points and led the defensive effort with a career-high six steals.
Head Coach Brenda Frese's Take"We were hoping that with the three games in three days we would be able to spread the minutes around, especially to our younger players. I thought our mentality was right when we came out. It was great to see Jakia and Shy get us going and Nae with her defense really set the tone. We were able to force a season high in turnovers and steals. It's nice to see Jakia have her most points as a Terp, with more to come. A career high for Nae with her steals, so just a nice way to end the tournament to extend some minutes to our bench."
Breaking Down The Action
- A pair of Brinae Alexander triples helped the Terps develop an early 10-4 advantage.
- Maryland closed the first stanza on a 6-1 scoring stretch to secure a 23-12 lead. Jakia Brown-Turner scored 11 points in the frame, nearly outscoring the Minutewomen by herself.
- Momentum continued for the Terps heading into the second with a 15-2 run that helped Maryland create a 38-17 gap.
- Shyanne Sellers tallied seven points and a pair of assists in the second quarter to create a 48-25 lead going into the halftime break.
- The Terps maintained their 20-point lead by outscoring the Minutewomen 28-27 in the third quarter, shooting 10-of-11 in the period to enter the fourth quarter up 76-52.
- Maryland flexed its depth in the third quarter, as Emily Fisher, Mary Sareen and Summer Bostock each contributed points to close out the 29-point victory.
Numbers To Know
- 3: Three Terps scored in double figures — Jakia Brown-Turner (17), Shyanne Sellers (13) and Brinae Alexander (13).
- 6: Brinae Alexander led Maryland with a career-best six steals.
- 17: Jakia Brown-Turner produced 17 points, her most as a Terp
- 19: Maryland's defense snatched 19 steals, the team's most this season and the most since generating 24 takeaways at Minnesota on March 1, 2020.
- 28: The Terps forced 28 Minutewomen turnovers, setting the season-best for Maryland.
Up Next
- The Terps begin a five-game homestand against Niagara on Wednesday, Nov. 29. First tip from the XFINITY Center is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the contest will air on B1G+.
