Benzan’s 22 lead No. 9 Maryland past Illinois 103-58

COLLEGE, PARK, Md. - Katie Benzan scored 22 points, including 6 of 12 from 3-point range, to lead ninth-ranked Maryland to a 103-58 rout of Illinois on Wednesday.

Chloe Bibby had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Terrapins, who extended their winning streak to four games. Ashley Owusu added 17 points and seven assists, while Diamond Miller had 11 points and seven assists for Maryland (15-2, 11-1 Big Ten).

The Terrapins lead the nation with 91.7 points per game, but their defense was just as impressive, smothering the Fighting Illini (3-14, 1-13).

Maryland set the early tone by scoring 10 points off seven turnovers in the opening four minutes. Illinois struggled with Maryland’s traps and trailed 29-11 at the end of the first quarter.

A 3-pointer by Benzan gave Maryland a 43-17 lead with 6:06 remaining in the second quarter. The Fighting Illini never pulled within 20 points the rest of the way.

All nine of Maryland’s available players scored, and its bench outscored Illinois 24-19. A pair of free throws by Alaysia Styles gave Maryland a 101-58 lead, the fourth time the Terrapins have scored more than 100 points this season.

Jada Peebles scored 18 points in 37 minutes, and freshman Aaliyah Nye added 11 points for the Fighting Illini.

Maryland, which won the rebounding battle 52-37, improved to 12-0 against Illinois.

NCAA TOURNAMENT IMPLICATIONS

Maryland was the No. 7 overall seed on Monday when the NCAA women’s basketball selection committee revealed the top 16 teams to this point. The Terrapins have three wins over seeded teams — No. 14 Arkansas (115-96), No. 19 Indiana (84-80) and No. 23 Michigan State (93-87).

ROLLING ALONG

Maryland coach Brenda Frese was presented with a game ball before tipoff after becoming the program’s all-time winningest coach in the previous game against Nebraska. With the victory over Illinois, Frese is 501-130 over 19 seasons in College Park, surpassing Chris Weller, who won 499 games from 1975 to 2002.

BIG PICTURE

Illinois: The Fighting Illini have lost eight conference games by 10 or more points and need to find a way to cut into the scoring margin.

Maryland: The Terrapins are in the driver’s seat for a third consecutive Big Ten regular-season title. Maryland has overcome injuries, COVID-19 and the departure of all five starters from last year to stay atop the standings.