COLLEGE PARK — Kristen Confroy got into an early rhythm and her teammates rode her hot hand the rest of the way.
The sophomore guard set career highs with 24 points and 10 rebounds and set a school record by making eight 3-pointers as the eighth-ranked Terrapins cruised past Northwestern, 80-62, on Sunday.
Brene Moseley added 17 points off the bench for the Terrapins, who have won their last four games. Brionna Jones had 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 15 points for Maryland (16-2, 5-1 Big Ten).
“Every game, I come in with the same mentality,” Confroy said. “Today was just a good day. My teammates did an awesome job of finding me. I owe it all to them because you can’t shoot threes without assists. I am just very happy and excited for our future.”
Nia Coffey led Northwestern (13-5, 2-4 Big Ten) with 19 points and nine rebounds. Christen Inman and Maggie Lyon each had 13 points for the Wildcats.
Coming off an 86-82 victory over No. 5 Ohio State on Thursday, Northwestern struggled to make shots against Maryland and went just 2-for-18 from 3-point range.
“I am just disappointed because we didn’t play very well today,” Wildcats coach Joe McKeown said. “I don’t have a great reason because we played Thursday and beat Ohio State. I thought that momentum would carry into tonight. Maryland played really well. They executed and we could not get going.”
Ashley Deary made a half-court shot at the buzzer to give the Wildcats some momentum heading into the fourth quarter. Maryland, however, was too tough. Confroy made a 3-pointer and Moseley hit a jumper to put the Terrapins up, 71-55, and they were never threatened the rest of the way.
“Whatever they give me, I am going to play off of,” Moseley said.
Maryland out-rebounded the Wildcats, 52-31.
The Terrapins got off to a quick start and never trailed. A jumper by Moseley gave Maryland a 26-10 lead late in the first quarter.
“We really set the tone from the tip,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. “I thought we were ready to play. We jumped out early to make a statement, especially after their big win against Ohio State.”
After opening the season with 10 consecutive wins, the Wildcats have lost four of their last six. Northwestern ranks first in the Big Ten with 11.6 steals per game and had 10 against Maryland.
Coffey entered the game averaging a team-high 18.9 points and 10.7 rebounds and was the Wildcats’ best player again against Maryland. She bounced back from an ankle injury against Ohio State and played 39 minutes.
Maryland had 21 turnovers, which led to 19 points for Northwestern. It’s a problem that has plagued the Terrapins for much of the season.
Frese, however, is confident her team can correct those mistakes.
“We allowed them back in the game because of our turnovers,” Frese said. “You have to credit their defense, but there were some uncharacteristic turnovers by us. It’s exciting that we can clean that up.”
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