Rutgers women’s basketball ran into one of the Big Ten’s hottest teams on Thursday night, as No. 8 Maryland used a dominant shooting performance to roll past the Scarlet Knights, 88–41, at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
The Terrapins seized control early and never looked back, showcasing their depth and perimeter firepower while Rutgers struggled to generate consistent offense. Maryland finished the night with a season-high 16 three-pointers, stretching the floor and forcing Rutgers into difficult defensive
rotations from the opening tip.
Maryland jumped out to a quick advantage in the first quarter, knocking down five three-pointers and building a 22-11 lead before the period ended. Rutgers fought to stay within striking distance early behind interior touches, but the Terrapins’ ball movement and spacing created open looks that proved decisive.
The game broke open in the second quarter. Maryland opened the frame on an 11–0 run, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities and uncontested perimeter shots. By halftime, the Terrapins had established full control, heading into the locker room with a commanding lead as Rutgers continued to struggle from the field.
Yarden Garzon led Maryland’s offensive explosion, scoring 18 points while going a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. Addi Mack added 15 points, and Maryland’s balanced scoring allowed the Terrapins to maintain pressure even as the rotation expanded in the second half.
Rutgers was unable to mount a response after halftime. Maryland continued to push the pace in the third quarter, extending the lead with another wave of three-point shooting and strong interior defense that limited second-chance opportunities. The Scarlet Knights found some success attacking the paint, but turnovers and contested jump shots prevented any sustained momentum.
Nene Ndiaye paced Rutgers with 11 points, while Imani Lester added eight points and five rebounds for the Scarlet Knights. Lauryn Swann had seven, Faith Blackstone added six, and Zachara Perkins scored five points for Rutgers. Still, Rutgers finished the night with one of its lowest offensive outputs of the season, unable to find rhythm against Maryland’s defensive pressure and length.
The loss drops Rutgers to 8–8 overall and 0–5 in Big Ten play, while Maryland improved to 16–1 on the season and 4–1 in conference action, continuing to solidify its place among the league’s elite.
Rutgers will look to regroup at Northwestern on Sunday afternoon, which is riding a nine-game losing streak on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 PM Eastern with coverage on Big Ten Plus.
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