Watson and Austin help No. 9 Maryland rout Clemson 63-44
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Blair Watson noticed the difference -- for the first half of Friday’s Daytona Invitational game, ninth-ranked Maryland and Clemson were playing with a men’s basketball.
But afterwards the Terrapin senior remained adamant that it had no effect in her fourth-quarter three-point barrage that lifted Maryland to a 63-44 victory over the Tigers Friday in the Ocean Center.
Watson hit four-pointers in a 16-0 Terrapin run as Maryland (6-1) pulled away after Clemson (2-5) cut it to nine, 46-37, on Shania Mertins’ lay-up with 9:37 remaining.
She finished with a season-high 19 as Maryland won its fifth straight.
“(The women’s ball) is a lot lighter, said Watson, who was 5-11 from three-point range.” I just found my range.”
Shakira Austin added 17 points and played a key role in Maryland storming out to a 32-8 lead on Kaila Charles’ lay-up with 2:54 remaining in the first half.
“Blair played a complete game and we need her to knock down shots,” said Maryland coach Brenda Frese. “Shakira continues to play at a high level. For us to be successful, we have to play through her.”
Maryland forced 29 turnovers – 18 in the first half, and limited Clemson to 2-15 shooting from three-point range. The Tigers’ 44 points were both their season low and the low for a Maryland opponent.
“Right now, I’m excited about our defense because we hang our hat on it,” Frese said. “We had a lot of energy in the first half.”
Austin connected on six of her first seven shots as the Terrapins led 12-5 after the first quarter.
“Shakira was tremendous on the glass,” said Frese, noting Austin’s eight rebounds. “That 6-5 presence gives us such a presence inside.”
Clemson closed out the first half with a 9-2 run and got it to 34-22 in the third quarter on Kendall Spray’s three-pointer. Maryland once again responded with its defense, holding the Tigers scoreless the next four minutes to push its lead to 41-23 with 4:08 remaining in the third quarter on two Kalia Charles free throws.
Amari Robinson led Clemson with 14 points, while Spray added 11.
BIG PICTURE:
MARYLAND: Austin, a sophomore has been on a role for the Terrapins ever since leading a come-from-behind victory over James Madison. She’s scored double-figures each game during this win streak and basically took over the game both in the post and the open court in Maryland’s aggressive defense.
CLEMSON: The Tigers’ non-conference schedule has also included No. 5 South Carolina and Penn State and has Iowa before the ACC opener against Florida State. The Tigers came into this game averaging 22 turnovers.
UP NEXT:
Maryland will face Belmont on Saturday.
Clemson will meet Alcorn State on Saturday.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Billy Smith
- Missy Brooks
- LaSonia Baker
2023-24 Big Ten Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Ohio State | 16-2 | - | 26-6 |
Iowa | 15-3 | 1 | 34-5 |
Indiana | 15-3 | 1 | 26-6 |
Michigan State | 12-6 | 4 | 22-9 |
Nebraska | 11-7 | 5 | 23-12 |
Penn State | 9-9 | 7 | 22-13 |
Michigan | 9-9 | 7 | 20-14 |
Maryland | 9-9 | 7 | 19-14 |
Illinois | 8-10 | 8 | 19-15 |
Wisconsin | 6-12 | 10 | 15-17 |
Minnesota | 5-13 | 11 | 20-16 |
Purdue | 5-13 | 11 | 15-19 |
Northwestern | 4-14 | 12 | 9-21 |
Rutgers | 2-16 | 14 | 8-24 |
2023-24 Atlantic Coast Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Virginia Tech | 14-4 | - | 25-8 |
NC State | 13-5 | 1 | 31-7 |
Notre Dame | 13-5 | 1 | 28-7 |
Syracuse | 13-5 | 1 | 24-8 |
Louisville | 12-6 | 2 | 24-10 |
Florida State | 12-6 | 2 | 23-11 |
Duke | 11-7 | 3 | 22-12 |
North Carolina | 11-7 | 3 | 20-13 |
Miami | 8-10 | 6 | 19-12 |
Georgia Tech | 7-11 | 7 | 17-16 |
Virginia | 7-11 | 7 | 16-16 |
Boston College | 5-13 | 9 | 14-19 |
Clemson | 5-13 | 9 | 12-19 |
Pittsburgh | 2-16 | 12 | 8-24 |
Wake Forest | 2-16 | 12 | 7-25 |