Benzan, Reese lead No. 3 Maryland past UNCW, 108-66
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Katie Benzan scored 24 points, Angel Reese had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and No. 3 Maryland remained undefeated Thursday with a 108-66 rout of UNC Wilmington.
It was the fourth double-double in five games for Reese, who is averaging 19.4 points and 12 rebounds for the Terrapins (5-0).
Carrie Gross led the Seahawks (1-2) with 17 points.
After a sluggish stretch in the game’s opening minutes, Maryland was in firm control by the end of the first quarter thanks to a 16-1 run. The Terps pushed their lead into double figures for good on Mimi Collins’ 3-pointer early in the second quarter and led 50-22 at the half.
Maryland’s size and athleticism confounded UNCW, which committed 14 first-half turnovers and 21 for the game. The Terps had an 18-0 edge in points off turnovers in the first half and 30-2 for the game. Maryland earned a 15-1 advantage in fast-break points before the break.
Collins had 19 points and nine rebounds, while Ashley Owusu added 16 points for Maryland.
Junior guard Diamond Miller made a brief season debut for Maryland after missing the first four games with right knee soreness. A first team all-Big Ten guard last season while averaging 17.3 points and 5.8 rebounds, Miller entered nearly three minutes into the game. She was scoreless with one rebound in four minutes.
Maryland has won 27 consecutive home games, tied with Stephen F. Austin for the longest in Division I.
BIG PICTURE
UNC Wilmington: After back-to-back blowout losses to Duke and Maryland, the Seahawks won’t face another power conference team the rest of the regular season.
Maryland: The Terps have won all five of their games by at least 21 points while tuning up for a tough stretch that starts Sunday. Maryland faces four top-10 opponents in its next seven games, including No. 1 South Carolina, No. 5 N.C. State, No. 6 Baylor and No. 7 Stanford.
UP NEXT
UNC Wilmington faces a quick turnaround, playing host to Coastal Carolina on Saturday.
Maryland receives its most imposing test yet this season Sunday as No. 6 Baylor visits College Park.
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