As the No. 3 team in the country, Maryland women’s basketball is used to controlling the game. The Terps like to force teams to play an up-tempo pace for 40 minutes, which usually results in a victory after opponents get worn out by the aggressive pace.
Sunday’s first half was different, as Rutgers’ slow offensive tempo and intense defense was the Jekyll to Maryland’s Hyde. The Terps looked out of sync on the offensive end, committing sloppy passes and putting up tough shots late in the shot clock. Scarlet Knights forwards Jordan Wallace and Desiree Keeling did a good job fronting Brionna Jones, which only added to Maryland’s struggles.