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Takeaways: Kaila Charles lifts Maryland over Michigan State

By Jasmine Brown

COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 21: Scorer of the winning basket Maryland Terrapins guard Kaila Charles (5) with center Olivia Owens (35) and guard Taylor Mikesell (11) at the end of a women's college basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Minnesota Golden Gophers, on February 21, 2019, at Xfinity Center, in College Park, Maryland.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 21: Scorer of the winning basket Maryland Terrapins guard Kaila Charles (5) with center Olivia Owens (35) and guard Taylor Mikesell (11) at the end of a women's college basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Minnesota Golden Gophers, on February 21, 2019, at Xfinity Center, in College Park, Maryland.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Maryland survives, here’s how.

After an entire day of upsets last night, Maryland women’s basketball looked to avoid the upset bug and advance to the semifinals. They first had to face the team that gave them their first loss two months ago, Michigan State.

Challenge accepted: Maryland beat the Spartans, 71-55 to advance to the Big Ten semis.

How’d they do it? Takeaways!

Kaila Charles steps up 

Maryland junior Kaila Charles finished with 21 points in the game, but she had 14 points, 6/8 FT, 5 rebounds, and three blocks….in just the third quarter. After Michigan State cut the lead to just four to end the half, the Terps came out inspired and went on a 15-2 run, Charles leading the charge. Charles was locked up for most of the first half as the Spartans played great defense on her, but she came out aggressively  to put the Terps on her back. She outscored Michigan State 14-10 all by herself in the quarter.

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Stephanie Jones has been key for the Terps

Junior Stephanie Jones is a silent assassin for the Terps and it is crucial she continue to play this way down the stretch. Jones finished with a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. She also scored the first points for Maryland to get the game going. Her grit under the basket is something that she has developed over the last three seasons at Maryland and it’s showing up now in a huge way.

Avenging a tough loss

Many observers believed Maryland would go undefeated in the B1G conference. However, Michigan State ended those hopes earlier this year. At home in the Breslin Center, the Spartans jumped out to a 20-4 advantage in the first quarter. The Terps cut the lead to three at halftime, but Michigan State jumped out again in the third quarter.

At the time, it was Michigan State’s second all-time win over Maryland and second straight victory in their last three meetings. Senior center Jenna Allen scored 16 points and freshman guard Nia Clouden added 15 to give No. 17 Michigan State 77-60 victory over Maryland.

This time around? it was Maryland who delivered a double-digit loss to the Spartans.

You know, they might have seen a few clips from the first time,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese told reporters following the game. “What I love about this team is yesterday, this is who they wanted to play, and so again, they’re just extremely competitive when they learn lessons. They take those lessons and want to get better, and I thought they were able to do that today.”

Maryland moves to 27-3 and will advance to the semifinals. They’ll face the winner of the Wisconsin/Michigan game.

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