In a game that appeared lost with just two minutes remaining, No. 15 Maryland women’s basketball mounted a furious comeback against No. 10 Iowa on Thursday, only to fall short in overtime, 85-78. The Terps, trailing by 11 late in the fourth quarter, rallied to force the extra period, but ultimately couldn’t sustain the momentum.
A Comeback Cut Short
The game nearly slipped away for Maryland as Iowa built a lead as large as 17 points in the fourth quarter. Contributing to the Terps’ struggles was foul trouble and the absence of offensive production from key players. Yarden Garzon fouled out, and Maryland’s leading scorer, Oluchi Okananwa, was limited to just one point through the first three quarters due to a focused defensive strategy by the Hawkeyes.
Okananwa found her rhythm in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points after picking up her fourth foul, and ultimately tying the game with a dramatic shot to send it to overtime. However, she fouled out during the extra period, leaving the Terps without their primary offensive threat.
Foul Trouble and Emerging Players
Head coach Brenda Frese emphasized the impact of foul trouble, stating, “Players have to be on the floor. We can’t get in foul trouble.” The loss of Okananwa and Garzon proved critical, as the Terps struggled to maintain their offensive flow.
With key players sidelined, redshirt freshman Kyndal Walker stepped up, finishing with 15 points and becoming Maryland’s primary ball-handler. Walker’s confidence was evident, but the Terps couldn’t rely solely on her against a top-15 opponent. Saylor Poffenbarger and Addi Mack also contributed to the fourth-quarter surge, combining for 11 points.
Iowa controlled the pace for much of the game, shooting 50% from three-point range in the first half. Despite Maryland’s defensive efforts, the Hawkeyes capitalized on opportunities both inside and from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
Maryland has now lost three of its last four contests. The Terps will need to address their foul trouble and find more consistent offensive contributions from a wider range of players. If they can build on the fight they showed in the fourth quarter, they could potentially use this experience to prepare for a challenging conference schedule and a push towards March. It is possible that the team will focus on limiting fouls and developing more consistent scoring options in the coming games. A continued emphasis on team depth could also prove beneficial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was Iowa 85, Maryland 78.
Who led Maryland in scoring?
Kyndal Walker led Maryland with 15 points.
What did Coach Frese say about the team’s performance?
Coach Frese said, “It was approaching a blowout when we were down 17…To be able to fight and claw. That’s the beauty of this locker room, just their mentality.” She also stated, “Iowa made more plays than us today. Every time we closed the door and got there, there was an impactful play that they were able to make.”
What will the Terps need to focus on as they move forward?
