Many didn’t expect No. 4-seed Maryland women’s basketball to get the opportunity to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, but it did.
The Terps seized that opportunity Sunday afternoon, defeating No. 13 Norfolk State, 82-69, in its home arena, setting up a second-round matchup with No. 5-seed Alabama Monday.
Sarah Te-Biasu led the way with a 22 points and six threes. Kaylene Smikle added 21 and Kierra Wheeler led the Spartans with 18.
It didn’t take long for the Terps to get a taste of what Norfolk State was all about. Maryland went down 7-0 out of the gate after Smikle made an ill-advised pass that was picked off, which led to a Diamond Johnson catch-and-shoot three in transition.