Jakia Brown-Turner appeared lost during the middle stretch of Maryland women’s basketball’s season. The NC State transfer had been billed as an instant-impact addition for the Terps, but averaged eight points on 35 percent shooting in Maryland’s first four Big Ten contests.

She flipped that trend against Purdue on Jan. 14 and scored 18 points on near-perfect shooting. She’s flourished since.

Brown-Turner has been one of the best off-season additions in the Big Ten this year. She had the highest win share total of any Big Ten transfer in conference play. Her rebounding, two-point scoring and jump shot improved immensely in College Park.

“Obviously she’s been huge for us [this] second half of the season,” junior Shyanne Sellers said. “Finding her groove and getting back into JBT shape.”

Brown-Turner scored a team-leading 15.4 points a night in Big Ten play. Her ability to attack the rim has been the difference.

The transfer shot 42.8 percent on two-pointers against nonconference opponents. That rose to 49 percent against Big Ten foes.

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A versatile player, Brown-Turner can overpower most smaller defenders. Against Iowa, she consistently drove through mismatched Hawkeye defenders. She’s too quick for most centers and bigger forwards to keep up with.

Her improved outside shot opened driving lanes, too. She made four total triples against non Big-Ten teams at a 17.4 percent mark. In Big Ten play, she made one three-pointer a game.

“My teammates … and my coaches have a lot of confidence in me,” Brown-Turner said. “Just being ready to make shots, they’re putting me in a good position,” Brown-Turner said.

Brown-Turner’s jump shot is still not a strength, sitting at 32.9 percent. But her intensity forces opponents to guard her on the perimeter, allowing her to attack off the dribble.

While her offensive game diversified, Brown-Turner said on the “They’ve Got Now” podcast her biggest improvement came on the glass. Her rebound rate — the percentage of rebound opportunities that are converted — never exceeded 10 percent at NC State.

In College Park, that rate is 11.4 percent. She’s grabbing a career-high 7.2 boards per game.

Her play led to her All-Big Ten second team selection. Brown-Turner ranked 15th in the Big Ten in win shares in regular season conference play. But there’s even more room for her to grow.

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A limiting factor in Brown-Turner’s game is her vision. Despite playing on the ball more frequently than at NC State, her assist rate regressed this season. But when she does help unlock her teammates, Maryland’s offense flows better. Despite being known as a strong defender, her 97.1 defensive rating is in the country’s 28th percentile.

But without Brown-Turner, Maryland would have a gaping void on the wing. The forward’s scoring unclogged the offense for Sellers, an issue that plagued the Terps in their early-season struggles.

“It just opens up the floor for everyone else,” Sellers said.

Brown-Turner has plenty of NCAA tournament experience. A game-tying triple against UConn in the 2022 Elite Eight sent the game to overtime. She’s averaged 12.6 points per game in the tournament.

Her emergence in her final season is a big reason why the Terps are likely headed to the tournament for the 13th straight year.

“It’s just been a fun journey,” Brown-Turner said. “Time moves fast and I enjoyed every minute of it.”