Maryland tops Michigan for share of Big Ten title
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Since joining the Big Ten, Maryland has at least shared the conference championship in six of seven seasons.
This year, the eight-ranked Terrapins look like they have a shot to win their second national title in school history and first since 2006.
Diamond Miller scored eight of her 17 points in the first quarter to help Maryland start strong, and Ashley Owusu had 22 points in an 88-63 victory over No. 12 Michigan that clinched a share of the Big Ten title on Thursday.
Maryland (20-2, 16-1 Big Ten) can win the conference championship outright by ending the regular season with a win against Penn State (9-13, 6-12) at home Saturday.
Naz Hillmon had 19 points for the Wolverines (13-4, 8-4).
Masseny Kaba scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Knights closed the regular season with a win at home.
Central Florida (14-3, 12-2) held the Bulls to season lows in scoring and shooting (25.5 percent).
The teams split the seasonending series and are the top two seeds — USF first — heading into the American Athletic Conference tournament Monday.
Elena Tsineke scored 15 points for USF (16-2, 13-2).
SEC tournament NO. 17 KENTUCKY 73 FLORIDA 64
Rhyne Howard scored 27 points, including seven in the last three minutes, as the Wildcats won a second-round game in Greenville, S.C.
That ended an entertaining duel with Florida’s Kiki Smith, who scored a career-high 36 points, the ninth-highest game in tourney history.
The Wildcats (17-7) advance to face fourth-seeded Georgia in today’s quarterfinals.
Smith also led the Gators (11-13) with nine rebounds.
Pac-12 tournament NO. 4 STANFORD 92 SOUTHERN CAL 53
Ashten Prechtel had 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Cardinal to a quarterfinal victory in Las Vegas.
Haley Jones and Hannah Jump each had 14 points, and Lacie Hull added 10 points for Stanford (23-2, 19-2).
Alissa Pili led USC (11-12, 8-10) with nine points.
OREGON STATE 71 NO. 19 OREGON 64
Freshman Talia von Oelhoffen had 19 points as the Beavers advanced to the semifinals. Aleah Goodman added 13 points and seven assists for fifthseeded Oregon State (12-6), which will play top seed Stanford today.
Taylor Mikesell had 24 points for the Ducks (13-9).