The No. 22 ranked women’s basketball team was on a four-game win streak heading into a matchup against the No. 8 Maryland Terrapins at home on Monday, Feb. 6. The Jackets were looking for an upset despite struggling against talented opponents throughout the season, losing to each of the five ranked teams they had faced. One of those opponents was the Terrapins earlier this season and could not hold onto a 20 -point lead, eventually losing up in College Park, Md. The Jackets could not capitalize on the upset opportunity, losing a defensive matchup 64-56 and dropping to a 0-6 record against ranked teams.
The Jackets fell to 17-7 after the loss. Senior center Sasha Goodlett was the only Tech player to score double figures in the game, posting 15 points on seven of 12 shooting. The remaining Jackets shot at 33 percent for the game.
The game started slowly with both teams struggling to hit shots from the field, hitting a combined seven shots through the first 11 minutes of play. With 8:45 left in the first period, the Jackets went on a 9-2 run over three minutes that game them an 18-10 lead with 5:42 left.
The Terrapins responded, however, finishing the half with two free throws by Alyssa Thomas and outscoring the Jackets 14-6 to go into the locker room tied at 24-24. The Terrapins closed out the half with a 10-0 run.
The second half started at a quicker pace, with the lead changing six times through the first seven minutes. The Terrapins held the lead through the majority of the half, but the Jackets continued to fight, tying the game while down six times through the first fifteen minutes. Marshall hit a layup quickly after a three point miss by the Terrapins to take a two-point, 54-52 lead with 3:16 left.
The Terrapins would respond again, however, ending the game on a 12-2 run and capping off a 64-56 win. The Jackets struggled through the final minutes, fouling four times and allowing eight of the Terrapins’ final points to come from the charity stripe.
Maryland’s Tianna Hawkins and Alyssa Thomas led all scorers, posting 23 points each. Thomas also contributed 12 rebounds.
With the loss, the Jackets fell to 17-7 on the season, and 7-4 in the ACC.
The Jackets will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 12, in Chapel Hill, N.C. when they face the North Carolina Tar Heels at 2 p.m.