The fifth-ranked Maryland women's basketball team had waited more than a month for another crack at Ohio State, the only team since the Terrapins joined the Big Ten Conference last season to deal them a conference loss.
The stakes in the rematch on Monday night included first place in the Big Ten, the inside track on the top seed in the conference tournament and remaining in the mix for perhaps a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Plus Maryland Coach Brenda Frese indicated last week she was eager to learn if her players possessed the mental resolve to outlast their most demanding Big Ten opponent on the road in front of an unforgiving crowd at Value City Arena.