Michigan
9-3,0-1Big Ten
Maryland
10-2,1-0Big Ten
Michigan Drops Conference Opener at No. 12 Maryland
12/28/2019 10:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
» Maryland used a 7-0 run in the middle stages of the fourth quarter to turn a four-point lead into an 11-point lead to take control of the contest. Michigan cut it to single digits twice after that but could not get any closer.
» Michigan had a trio of double-figure scorers in Amy Dilk (18), Kayla Robbins (16) and Naz Hillmon (15).
» U-M returns home to Crisler Center for its Big Ten home opener Tuesday (Dec. 31) against Penn State.
Site: College Park, Md. (Xfinity Center)
Score: #12 Maryland 70, #23 Michigan 55
Records: U-M (9-3, 0-1 B1G), Maryland (10-2, 1-0 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Tuesday, Dec. 31 -- vs. Penn State (Crisler Center), 2 p.m.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The No. 23-ranked University of Michigan women's basketball team hung with No. 12-ranked Maryland until the middle stages of the fourth quarter before dropping a 70-55 decision to the Terps Saturday (Dec. 28) at Xfinity Center. It was the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams.
Michigan had a trio of players score in double figures, led by 18 points from sophomore Amy Dilk. Dilk also had two rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes of action. Senior Kayla Robbins turned in 16 points in her return to her home state, while sophomore Naz Hillmon went for 15 points and seven rebounds. Michigan held Maryland to just two three-pointers, but the Terps scored 15 second-chance points to Michigan's eight.
The teams went back and forth in the early going until Maryland used a 6-0 spurt for a 17-11 lead with just 41 seconds left in the period. Michigan countered with a runner from Robbins off the glass and a Dilk free throw in the waning moments to close within three, 17-14, after 10 minutes.
Maryland opened the second quarter on an 8-2 run, forcing a Michigan timeout at the 6:15 mark as the Terrapins grabbed a 25-16 lead.
Michigan slowly chipped away at the lead the rest of the quarter, allowing just five points over than time. U-M got a three-point play from Robbins, another bucket from her in transition and a basket from Hillmon in transition to get back within four points, 28-24, with 50 ticks left on the clock.
Maryland scored on its final possession of the quarter and took a 30-24 lead into the locker room.
U-M opened with the third quarter with four straight points while holding the Terrapins to just four points through the first five minutes. Robbins tied the contest at 34 with a pair of free throws at the 4:58 mark of the period.
Maryland came back with an 8-0 run for a 42-34 lead at the 2:29 mark before another Robbins pair at the line stemmed the tide. Dilk scored on Michigan's next possession to bring Michigan back within four, and neither team scored the rest of the way for a 42-38 Maryland lead after three quarters.
The teams traded 4-0 runs in the early stages of the period to keep the Terrapin lead at four points. Maryland once again countered with a spurt, scoring seven straight points to push the lead to double digits for the first time, 53-42, with 5:46 to go.
Michigan cut the lead to single digits twice the rest of the way, the latter coming on a Dilk triple in the left corner with 2:44 to go, but the Wolverines could get no closer.
U-M will host Penn State Tuesday (Dec. 31) in its Big Ten home opener at Crisler Center at 2 p.m. Tickets to the game are just $1 as part of Dollar Day.
