Late surge powers Maryland women’s basketball past Illinois

In its last two losses, Maryland women’s basketball had trouble in the third quarter. The games were the first two instances this season that the Terps lost after leading at halftime.

Up by two at the break on Saturday afternoon, the Terps had to close the game out in the second half against Illinois. While they led by just three points after the end of the third, Maryland didn’t let this one slip away.

Maryland extended its lead in the fourth quarter and held on, as both guard Jakia Brown-Turner and guard Bri McDaniel scored at least 20 points to power Maryland to a 90-82 bounce-back victory.

The first half wasn’t the best display of Maryland’s scoring prowess, with three of its starters combining for just three points. But in the second half, the Terps (12-6, 4-3 Big Ten) shot over 50% from the field. The home team was finding different ways to score and being unselfish with the basketball, finishing with 23 assists.

McDaniel led the way with 22 points and…