The Maryland women’s basketball team was tested through its first nine games. The Terps lost contests against No. 1 Connecticut and then-No. 4 South Carolina, while Maryland beat Miami and Virginia by single-digit points.
On Wednesday, Mount St. Mary’s did not pose the Terps a threat.
Maryland, which is on a six-game win streak, scored the first 15 points of its 97-57 victory within the opening three minutes and didn’t allow the Mountaineers to reach 10 points until under five minutes remained in the second quarter.
“We set the tone early, especially in the first quarter,” coach Brenda Frese said. “We came out with a really high level of intensity and energy.”
Five different Terps scored more than 10 points, led by guard Ieshia Small’s 21. Guards Kristen Confroy and Kaila Charles, as well as forward Stephanie Jones, chipped in 16 points.
Maryland (8-2) shot 50.7 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three.
All eight Maryland players who dressed managed at least one field goal. The Terps usually have nine available, but forward Brianna Fraser missed the contest with a tweaked ankle and is day-to-day.
In the absence of Fraser, who averages 9.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game off the bench, the Terps improvised as Jones and forward Aja Ellison were the only true bigs available.
Regardless of who played in what spot on the floor, Maryland had no problem adjusting and sustaining efficiency on both sides of the ball.
“Because we’re such a versatile team, even without Bri, we’re all able to contribute in a way that makes up for her absence,” Jones said. “Especially tonight, we all did a great job.”
The Terps made five of their first seven three-point attempts and outscored Mount St. Mary’s, 37-6, to open the contest.
Small helped the Terps hold a lead of at least 40 points until four minutes remained in the second period.
Frese was thrilled with the early success, success the Terps struggled with in their first few games.
“We love that mentality, setting the tone where we’re dictating that,” Frese said. “We’re just trying to sustain that through the course of 40 minutes.”
The Mountaineers (1-7), however went on a 13-0 run at the end of the first half, making five straight field goals. Still, Maryland had a 27-point advantage at halftime.
The Terps restored order in the third quarter, limiting the Mountaineers to 30 percent shooting from the field as they began to throw up low-percentage shots. Meanwhile, the Terps kept up their rapid scoring pace, returning to that 40-point advantage.
In frustrating the Mountaineers, the Terps forced 25 turnovers and maintained a high-intensity defensive plan.
“That’s our standard of where we need to play,” Small said, “or how we always need to play.”