NFL
By: Nathan Snell
The second game in four days for the Lady Terrapins at the Xfinity Center as they welcome the UMBC Retrievers, Thursday evening.
Coming off the win against Loyola (MD), in a season where Oluchi Okananwa led the Terps with 18 points and Saylor Poffenbarger added 11 points with five rebounds. Thursday marks the 14th all-time matchup between the two teams. Last season, Maryland won by a 42-point margin.
UMBC is coming off a win, having defeated Stevenson University 90-49 on Monday night as well.
Nathan’s Preview
Know Thy Opponent (Part Two)
The Retrievers’ last season finished with 14 wins under second-year head coach Candice Hill. The former St. John assistant has so far been putting her stamp on the program. This season, Coach Brown must figure out where the scoring will come from after losing six seniors, four of whom were top scorers (Jordon Lewis, Jaden Walker, Jaliena Sanchez, and Talia Davis).
So far, Coach Hill has found some gems in the transfer portal, such as Jade Tillman from East Carolina, who scored 22 points in the win against Stevenson.
Delaney Yarborough, a local Maryland product, transferred from Towson University.
From the Stevenson game, Coach Hill has seemed to give Carmen Yánez and Alaina Williams more of a role this season compared to last season. Williams finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, and Yánez as the point guard of the offense had ten assists.
The Matchups
It will be interesting to see how Coach Frese will have her lineup against a UMBC team that has size that Loyola (MD) does not have. Especially in the frontcourt. The Terrapins have the personnel to combat the size of the retrievers. Let’s break down the matchups:
UMBC
- Heidi Williams (Guard 6’0”)
- Kenya Ramsey (Guard 6’0”)
- Gabby Scott (Forward 6’0”)
- Alaina Williams (Forward 6’1”)
- Jade Tillman (Forward 6’1”)
- Delaney Yarborough (Center 6’3”)
- Maisie Crowley (Forward/Center 6’4”)
Maryland
- Kaylene Smilke (Guard 6’0”)
- Ava McKennie (Guard 6’0”)
- Saylor Poffenbarger (Guard 6’0”)
- Nicole Fritea (Forward 6’2”)
- Breanna Williams (Forward 6’2”)
- Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu (Forward 6’3”)
- Yarden Garzon (Guard 6’3”)
- Marya Boiko (Forward 6’4”)
One thing Maryland has that UMBC does not have is athleticism and length.
Monitor Maryland’s Ball Security
Coach Frese was not too thrilled about the high amount of turnovers (18) on Monday in the post presser. But only allowed six points of turnovers. UMBC is not perfect either they seem to have looked worse with their ball security. Last season averaging over fifteen turnovers. Monday night the Retrievers gave up 23 apple turnovers. Loyola gave up six more (29).
Nathan’s Questions/Observations
- Will Kaylene Smikle make her season debut Thursday night?
- Yarden Garzon’s first game is no concern. She will be fine.
- How does Maryland’s Youth continue their performance from Monday?
- Is the Starting Five a legit starting five?
- How does Maryland’s bench continue to impress?
Prediction Score: Maryland (90) UMBC (55)
