No. 4 Maryland Women’s Basketball Edged by No. 1 South Carolina, 71-67

In a game that shifted dramatically between the first and second halves, Maryland held its ground but ultimately fell short against South Carolina. The Terps led by two at halftime, 33-31, thanks to their ability to capitalize on free throws, with Smikle contributing five of her nine points from the line.

“We wanted to pack the paint, battle on the glass, and I thought we did that to the very end,” said Frese, highlighting Maryland’s defensive strategy that kept South Carolina from exploiting their usual dominance in the paint. The Terps were unselfish in their half-court offense, exploiting defensive gaps in the Gamecocks’ rotations.

Maryland’s defense was a standout, as they forced South Carolina into tough looks inside, limiting their ability to score in the paint, an area where they typically excel.

However, the Gamecocks mounted a comeback in the third quarter, starting with a 7-0 run that pushed them ahead. After a timeout, Frese’s squad regrouped; Smikle scored a layup, and then Te-Biasu stole a pass from Fulwiley and nailed a transition three, putting Maryland back up by four. But as the third quarter closed, the Gamecocks began to find their rhythm.

The game saw intense back-and-forth action in the fourth quarter, with Allie Kubek, nicknamed “Automatic Allie” by Frese, hitting critical shots. Kubek finished a perfect 5-for-5, contributing 12 points. The lead changed hands four times in a three-minute span, with Maryland refusing to give up.

However, a pivotal moment came when Kubek fouled out with just over three minutes remaining. Without their primary interior presence, Saylor Poffenbarger and Christina Dalce struggled, shooting a combined 2-for-13 from inside the paint.

With the game on the line, Maryland’s offense faltered, failing to score for a crucial three-minute stretch. This allowed South Carolina to extend their lead to six with just 34 seconds left. Five turnovers in the final two minutes kept the Terps from getting the key shots they needed. A three-pointer from Poffenbarger briefly brought Maryland within three, but a costly turnover on the Sellers inbounds pass essentially sealed the game for South Carolina.

Despite the loss, it was a strong, competitive performance from Maryland. “I think we executed the game plan to a tee,” Sellers said. “It came down to missing more free throws than we usually do and a couple of stops at the end. But ultimately, I’m super proud of this group, proud of the way we fought. People thought we were going to get crushed by 20, but I think we set the record straight to stop doubting Maryland again and again.”