Terps, stars keep rolling
Walker-Kimbrough, Jones help UM move to 53-2 vs. Big Ten
EAST LANSING, MICH. — Inside and outside, No. 3 Maryland remains a step ahead of the rest of the Big Ten.
Brionna Jones had 28 points and 15 rebounds, and the Terps beat Michigan State, 89-72, on Sunday, spoiling coach Suzy Merchant’s return to the sideline for the Spartans.
Shatori WalkerKimbrough scored 24 points for Maryland, which shot 61 percent from the field in the first half and never trailed in the game.
“For us, it starts and ends with Bri Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough,” Terps coach Brenda Frese said.
Jones, who came into the game with the top field-goal percentage in the nation at .692, increased that mark by going 9-for-12. She made her first seven shots from the floor and didn’t miss one until the final minute of the third quarter. The Terps (25-1, 13-0) improved to 53-2 against league opponents — including conference tournament games — since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15. Wednesday, 7 p.m. TV: BTN Plus
Merchant came back from a medical leave of absence to coach the Spartans (16-9, 6-6) for the first time since Jan. 14.
Walker-Kimbrough went 3-of-7 from 3-point range, but it was Jones who established Maryland’s clear superiority inside. The Terps led 51-40 at halftime and 67-49 after three quarters.
“That third quarter was probably the one that got us,” Merchant said. “We only scored nine points in that quarter. Just, we were a little bit flat. I think early we had good energy.”
Tori Jankoska led Michigan State with 23 points. The Spartans never led in the game.
“We wanted to defend Tori as soon as she got on the floor,” Frese said. “We went man, zone, a triangle-and-two — in terms of trying to limit her touches, but just really making her have to take a lot of tough shots.”
Jankoska went 8-for-19 from the field and 5-for-13 from 3-point range. She became the first player in program history to reach the 2,000-point mark. A 3-pointer in the second quarter gave her 2,002, and the Michigan State guard is now at 2,017.
“For sure, I would rather have the win, but it is a really cool accomplishment,” Jankoska said. “Keep improving your game, and great things can happen.”
The Terps have had only two games decided by single digits in league play this year, and they were able to build a comfortable lead against Michigan State behind the 6-foot-3 Jones. Maryland outscored the Spartans 46-26 in the paint.