MINNEAPOLIS – No. 8 seed Maryland advanced to the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals after erasing a 14-point deficit against No. 9 seed Illinois on Thursday at Target Center. The Terps went on to defeat the Illini, 75-65. It was Maryland’s largest deficit overcome since 2019.
Maryland will play No. 1 seed Ohio State (25-4) in the quarterfinals tomorrow at 12:30 pm ET on the Big Ten Network.
Maryland (18-12) outscored Illinois (14-15) in the second quarter 25-13 to make it a two-point game at halftime, 39-37. The Terps later took their first lead since early in the game with 2:32 in the third quarter on a mid-range jumper from Shyanne Sellers. Maryland's 11-0 run ended the third quarter to put the Terps ahead, 55-50. They held on for the remainder of the game and sealed the win by making five free throws in the final minute.
All five Maryland starters reached double-figures for the first time since Nov. 16, 2021 against Mount St. Mary's. The last time Maryland had five players score in double-figures in a game was earlier this season against Rutgers on Feb. 21.
Bri McDaniel, an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, scored a game-high 20 points. She added 10 rebounds and three steals. She was also efficient, shooting 8-for-14 from the field. It was the first double-double of her career.
Second Team All-Big Ten honoree Jakia Brown-Turner netted 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. First Team All-Big Ten awardee Sellers contributed 11 points and dished out eight assists.
Allie Kubek (13 points) and Brinae Alexander (12 points) rounded out double-digit scorers for Maryland.
The Terps maintained their perfect program record against the Illini and improved to 17-0 all-time against the Illini. Maryland is also 3-0 against Illinois this season alone.
Breaking Down The Action
- At the first media timeout, Illinois was in command with an 18-7 lead. The Illini sparked a 14-2 run to take the early advantage. Bri McDaniel had four points and Brinae Alexander knocked down a three-pointer for the Terps.
- The Terps trailed 24-10 at the end of the first quarter. Illinois' Camille Hobby and Makira Cook were a combined 8-of-13 from the floor with 17 points.
- Alexander converted her second three-pointer of the game to make it a seven-point game, but Shay Bollin made one on Illinois' next trip down the floor to increase the lead back to double-digits.
- Maryland outscored Illinois 25-13 in the second quarter to trail 37-35 at halftime. McDaniel led all scorers with 12 points and Allie Kubek scored all of her eight points in the quarter to lead the comeback.
- At the third-quarter media timeout, the Illini held a 50-44 advantage. The Terps were in striking distance and were seeking defensive stops.
- A Shyanne Sellers midrange jumper gave the Terps a 51-50 lead with 2:32 remaining in the third stanza. They ended the quarter riding a 16-2 run. The Illini were also held scoreless for the remaining five minutes as the Terps led 55-50 heading into the fourth.
- The Terps remained in control, 63-59, at the fourth quarter media timeout. Four of the five starters for Maryland had double-digit points. However, the Illini wouldn't stop fighting.
- Sellers fouled out, but Faith Masonius entered the game and instantly scored. Jakia Brown-Turner then made two clutch free-throws to extend the lead to 69-61 with under three minutes to play.
- The Terps made five free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
Double-Figure Factors
- Bri McDaniel tallied 20 for her 19th game this season and 21st of her career in double-figures.
- Jakia Brown-Turner hit the double-figures mark for the 22nd time this season, her first with the Terps, scoring 14 points. Overall, she has 89 double-figure scoring games in her career with 67 coming at NC State. Brown-Turner has scored in double-figures in each of her last 15 games.
- Allie Kubek scored in double-figures for the 13th time this season with 13 points. She scored 10-plus points in 46 career games with 33 coming at Towson before transferring to Maryland.
- Brinae Alexander netted 12 points for her 12th game this season in double-digits. She scored in double-figures for the 67th time in her career.
- Shyanne Sellers scored 11 points and has scored double-figures in 23 of 29 games she has played this season. It was also the 64th in her career scoring in double-figures
- The Terps had four players earn Big Ten honors for the 2023-24 season.
- Junior Shyanne Sellers was named to the All-Big Ten First Team by the league's head coaches and media.
- Graduate Jakia Brown-Turner was named to the Second Team (coaches) and First Team (media) and
- Sophomore Bri McDaniel earned Honorable Mention honors from both groups.
- Freshman Riley Nelson earned a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
- Maryland has four 1,000-point scorers on its roster. (Brown-Turner - 1,673; Alexander - 1,424; Briggs - 1,396; Sellers - 1,172).
- With three three-pointers in the game, Alexander has made 140 in her two years as a Terrapin which is No. 12 in program history. She's four from passing Laurin Mincy (2011-15) who made 143 in her career.
- With her 11 points, Sellers moved into the No. 33 spot for all-time scorers in Maryland's program history with 1,172. She passed Renneika Razor (2000-03) and is now 18 points from passing Debbie Lytle (1980-83).
- Sellers moved up three spots on the all-time assists list and sits at No. 17 with 376 in her career. She's now six assists away from passing Tiffany Brown (1997-00).
- Maryland is 21-4 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament. The Terrapins won the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021 Big Ten Tournament titles.
- Head coach Brenda Frese is 21-5 in the Big Ten Tournament, including her one season at Minnesota (2001-02). She has the highest winning percentage of any coach in Big Ten Tournament history.
- With the win over Illinois, Maryland advanced to the Big Ten Quarterfinals in all 10 seasons since it joined the Big Ten.
- Thursday's matchup was the 17th all-time between Maryland and Illinois. Maryland owns the series, 17-0.
- The Terrapins took both matchups earlier this year - 90-82 in College Park on Jan. 20 and 69-53 at Illinois on Feb. 11.
- They met in last year's Big Ten Quarterfinals with the Terps winning 73-58.
- 1: McDaniel recorded her first career double-double.
- 5: All five starters scored in double-figures for the first time since Nov. 16, 2021.
- 7: Maryland has a strength of schedule of No. 7 in the country according to WarrenNolan.com.
- 8: Entering the matchup, the Terps were No. 8 in the country and led the Big Ten in free throws made per game.
- 10: The Terrapins have played in the Big Ten Quarterfinals in all 10 seasons since joining the conference.
- 14: Maryland erased a 14-point deficit to win the game.
- 15: Brown-Turner scored in double-figures for the 15th game in a row.
- 17: The Terps are 17-0 against the Illini all-time, including 3-0 this season.
- 21: Maryland is 21-4 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament.
- 35: Maryland is currently ranked No. 35 in the latest NCAA NET rankings.
- 93: Over the last six seasons, the Terps are 93-7 when they score 80 points or more.
Maryland will play top-seeded Ohio State in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament tomorrow, March 8. Tip-off is set for 12:30 pm ET and the game will be televised on Big Ten Network.
