No. 9 Terps use big 4th quarter to beat Michigan

COLLEGE PARK — Taylor Mikesell scored 17 points, Shakira Austin had 13 points and 15 rebounds, and No. 9 Maryland used a strong finish to get past Michigan 83-69 Saturday.

The Terrapins led 55-54 before five different players scored in a 13-4 run that made it 68-58 with 5 minutes left, part of a 30-point fourth quarter for Maryland.

The victory thrust the Terrapins into sole possession of second place in the Big Ten, a half-game behind Rutgers. Maryland (15-1, 4-1) has won three straight since losing to the Scarlet Knights on Dec. 31.

Hallie Thome had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Michigan (11-6, 2-3). It was the third double-double for the 6-foot-5 senior and second in two games.

Channise Lewis doled out 11 assists for the Terps, Blair Watson scored 14 and Stephanie Jones added 13.

Maryland won despite committing 15 turnovers, 10 in the first quarter.

The Terps made five 3-pointers in the second quarter to wipe out a seven-point deficit and take a 35-34 halftime lead.

Austin had four points, four rebounds and two blocked shots in the opening five minutes, but Michigan forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter and used runs of 9-0 and 8-0 to move in front 21-14.

It was 25-19 before Lewis and Mikesell hit successive 3-pointers to spark an 11-2 spurt.

Maryland led 41-39 before Thome scored seven points in a 13-5 run that put Michigan ahead 52-46. Austin then scored five straight points, and Mikesell hit a runner to provide the Terps a 53-52 lead entering the fourth quarter.

BIG PICTURE

Michigan: Despite the loss, the Wolverines showed their mettle against a Top 10 team. Michigan is 2-4 against ranked foes this season, beating Missouri and Minnesota, and the Wolverines came close to adding another notch in this one.

Maryland: The Terrapins were careless with the basketball and forced to play from behind for much of the game, but they finally found their groove in the fourth quarter. That’s when they showed precisely why they’ve resided in the Top 10 for the entire season.

UP NEXT

Michigan: The Wolverines travel to No. 17 Iowa on Thursday night.

Maryland: The Terps face 23rd-ranked Michigan State on the road Thursday night.