Maryland women’s basketball gets past Akron, 75-54

Maryland women’s basketball won its fifth straight game Saturday, knocking off Akron on the road, 75-54.

Kristen Confroy grew up 30 miles from Akron in Solon, Ohio, and had an outstanding game in front of friends and family, finishing with a season-high 23 points. Kaila Charles matched Confroy’s scoring output and added 14 rebounds.

Maryland was dominant in the first quarter, doing almost everything it wanted. The Terps were able to find good shots on offense, run in transition, and make Akron uncomfortable on the other end of the floor. Maryland shot 56 percent from the field compared to just 17 percent for Akron, and the Terps led 24-6 after one period.

In the second quarter, Akron’s offense finally got going and Maryland started to get sloppy. Akron matched its point total from the first quarter in a little more than two minutes at the start of the second. The good looks the Zips had in the first quarter started to fall, and the Terps struggled to convert on the offensive end, going just 2-for-9 to start the quarter.

Maryland struggled with ball security in the first half, committing 11 turnovers. Akron is one of the stronger defensive teams in the country, but there were several unforced errors on Maryland’s end. The Terps had numerous passes go too high or too long, and also threw some passes right to Akron players.

The Zips cut into the lead throughout the quarter, and a three from Shaunay Edmonds trimmed the lead to 34-27 with 1:15 left in the first half. Maryland closed the quarter well on offense, hitting its last four shots. The Terps were up 38-27 at halftime.

The two teams traded baskets to start the third quarter, but eventually Maryland started to pull away. The Terps used a lot of quick passes to counter Akron’s defense and worked the ball down low, routinely finding Fraser in the post and Charles on the baseline. Both excelled at drawing contact and getting to the foul line during the quarter. Charles’s and-one with 3:24 to go pushed the lead to 57-41, and the Terps were up 64-48 at the end of the third quarter.

Maryland returns home on Wednesday when it takes on in-state foe Mount St. Mary’s.

Three things to know

1. Another Maryland player had a strong homecoming game. Confroy was outstanding Saturday, scoring 23 points, including five three-pointers. With today’s results, all three Maryland players excelled in their home state.
2. Maryland’s ball movement in the third quarter was exceptional. The Terps showed more ball movement in the third quarter than they did all season. The ball was barely in a Maryland player’s hands for more than a few seconds, and usually resulted in a good shot inside.
3. The offense looked a lot better with Sarah Myers on the court. Maryland’s great ball movement in the third quarter happened with Myers running the offense. It was a stark contrast to the turnover-prone offense that occurred when Channise Lewis was on the floor. Myers only played seven minutes against Virginia, but after Saturday could see more time going forward.