IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The ninth-ranked University of Maryland women's basketball team showcased their prowess on Sunday, overcoming the No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes with a solid 74-66 victory at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win elevates Maryland's record to 14-0 and 4-0 within the Big Ten, marking their best start since the 2011-12 season.
Maryland's Kaylene Smikle delivered a remarkable performance, leading the Terrapins with 26 points, which included multiple three-pointers. She was joined by Shyanne Sellers, who contributed 17 points and played a pivotal role throughout the game. Bri McDaniel added 13 points off the bench, providing the depth necessary for Maryland to maintain their dominance.
From the tip-off, Maryland established command, quickly tangling Iowa's defense with their sharp shooting. Eight of Maryland’s first 11 field goals came from beyond the arc, setting the stage for Iowa's uphill battle. Despite trailing by as much as 25 points during the first half, the Hawkeyes, led by senior Lucy Olsen, did not waver.
The opening quarter saw Maryland swiftly take control, finishing with a 22-15 lead, fueled by their impressive shooting display. Yet, as the first half progressed, Maryland continued to apply pressure, outscoring Iowa 26-12 by the end of the second quarter to establish a significant 48-27 halftime lead. The Hawkeyes' offense struggled, managing only three field goals during this period.
After the halftime break, Iowa returned to the court with renewed energy and determination. They executed a 12-3 scoring run early, cutting the Terrapins' lead down to 12 points, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from Olsen and Sydney Affolter.
Coach Brenda Frese of Maryland acknowledged the adjustments needed during the game, stating, "I was disappointed in our defense [in the second half]. I thought Iowa ramped up their defensive intensity and it caught us off guard." Her acknowledgment of Iowa's relentless spirit highlighted the competitive fire ignited within the home crowd, which numbered 14,998.
Despite Iowa's offensive surge, Maryland managed to recover. Midway through the third quarter, Iowa had cut the lead to 59-43, demonstrating their grit and fortitude. Both teams entered the final quarter with Maryland leading, but Iowa was not done yet.
The fourth quarter saw Iowa pushing hard to claw back, determined to stage what would have been a dramatic comeback. The Hawkeyes pushed the lead to as little as five points, courtesy of a late three-pointer from freshman Aaliyah Guyton, which brought the score to 71-66 with only 45 seconds remaining.
Coach Jan Jensen noted Iowa's struggles at the onset of the match but praised her players' second-half performance, saying, "We had a great second half. What we need to improve was our starts and making some layups under pressure." Reflecting on the match, she added, "We can't have starts like this in the Big Ten. The Big Ten is so good."
Maryland's resilience shone through even as Iowa intensified their defense. With three pivotal baskets late in the game, including two three-pointers from Smikle, the Terrapins solidified their win and put the game out of reach. "We know how to play through moments of pressure; we’re not going to crumble from a team going on runs because that's just how basketball is," said Smikle.
The victory not only halted Iowa's impressive home winning streak at 20 games but also kept Maryland positioned as one of the strongest teams nationally. The celebration surrounding the game was bittersweet for Iowa, which honored former coach Lisa Bluder at halftime. She retired as the winningest coach in Iowa history after leading the program for 24 years.
Looking ahead, Maryland prepares to face No. 4 USC on Wednesday, aiming to extend their unbeaten streak. Meanwhile, Iowa gears up for their next Big Ten road game against Illinois on Thursday, with their eyes set on improving their league record.