Takeaways: Maryland, UCLA battle for Sweet 16

Two elite programs played for a trip to Albany.

COLLEGE PARK, MD — “Who wants it more?” was written on the whiteboard in the Maryland women’s locker room. But first they would have to face a foe who wanted it more, more than four decades ago, when the Bruins won the 1978 AIAW championship over the Terrapins.

The result was the same Monday night, UCLA winning, 85-80, to advance to the Sweet 16.

How’d it happen? Takeaways!

Stephanie Jones dominates the first quarter

Maryland junior Stephanie Jones came out on fire in the first half, scoring 13 points in the first quarter. Jones was the nucleus of the offense and whenever she had the ball, she took it to the hoop. Stephanie, like her sister, former Terp Brionna Jones, plays with such a strength that makes it hard for opponents to stop her in the paint. It was a good thing that Jones was engaged in the beginning of the game, because she was the sole reason for game not turning into a an early blowout.

“I thought UCLA was tremendous in the first half,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said following the game. “I thought it took us a while, especially on the glass and to be able to get kind of settled in. Obviously, Steph [Jones] was key for us to be able to kind of hold it together there in the first half.”

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UCLA’s offensive glass dominance

UCLA is the fourth-best rebounding team in the nation, and fifth in rebounds per game, so it was not a surprise that they put up 17 seventeen in the first half. But with Maryland being one of the best teams in the country on the boards as well, it was uncharacteristic for the Lady Terps to give up 17 offensive rebounds in one half. That led to some frustration from Brenda Frese at halftime.

UCLA finished with 27 rebounds on the offensive end, and a 47-44 edge overall.

Second half hustle for the Terps

Down four at the half, the Terps used their first half struggles to fuel their second half, and it worked. The half started with a block by Shakira Austin which turned into two points for Kaila Charles to cut the Bruins’ lead to two. Then, another block by Shakira Austin led to another turnover for the Bruins. This led to another made bucket for Maryland, tying the game. It then turned into a back and forth battle, but with the second half energy from Charles, who was not productive in the first half. But it was not enough for the Terps, who finish at 29-5 for the season.

“Loved our response coming out of the locker room in the second half,” Frese said. “I thought that it was sensational. Kaila [Charles] did everything she could possibly do for us. You know, scratch, claw, and made play after play for us. Again, I can’t say enough of how proud I am of this group; to be able to 29 wins, a Big Ten regular season title, and everything they have accomplished this season.”

As for UCLA? They’ve earned a Friday night date in Albany with UConn.

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