BC-BKW--T25-Iowa-Maryland,2nd Ld-Writethru
COLLEGE PARK (AP) - Maryland coach Brenda Frese is an Iowa native and grew up attending Hawkeyes games and basketball camps.
So, that connection only added to the excitement of the Terrapins' biggest game thus far in their inaugural season in the Big Ten. Brionna Jones scored 17 of her 19 points in the second half and had 15 rebounds to help No. 5 Maryland extend its winning streak to 13 games with a 93-88 victory over No. 20 Iowa on Sunday.
The Terrapins (19-2, 10-0) moved two games ahead of the second-place Hawkeyes in the conference standings. Maryland limited Iowa to just eight offensive rebounds.
"I grew a Hawkeyes fan, but I couldn't be in this game," Frese said. "I lived 30 miles from there. I have special pride I'm from there. I had a lot of people watching this game. But, at the end of the day, when you tip it up, it's Maryland versus Iowa. It's competitiveness."
Lexie Brown led Maryland with a season-high 26 points and Laurin Mincy added 15.
Ally Disterhoft scored 22 points for Iowa (17-4, 8-2), and Melissa Dixon had 18 points.
Maryland played tight perimeter defense to defend against Iowa's 3-point shooters. The Hawkeyes, who lead the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage at 40 percent, made 8 of 15 shots from beyond the arc.
The Terrapins trailed at the half, 45-44, for the first time this season against a conference opponent. Maryland, however, began to pound the ball inside to Jones, who responded with 12 straight points to give the Terps a 56-54 lead 13:53 remaining.
"I just had to work harder to get open and present myself to be open to my teammates," Jones said. "I think that was the major change that I made. I think she has a great mind for the game."
The Hawkeyes then went on an 8-0 run and led 62-56 with just over 12 minutes left. Maryland retook the lead at 72-70 on Brene Moseley's layup and free throw with 7:45 remaining.
The teams then traded baskets before Brown's 3-pointer and Mincy's free throw capped a 13-2 run and extended the Terrapins' margin to six at 78-72 with 6:19 left.
A steal by Jones set up a free throw by Brown and Maryland led 86-82 with just over a minute remaining. Brown then sealed it with a layup and pair of free throws in the final 38 seconds.
"The main goal is to get the best shot possible," Brown said. "In this game, it happened to be my layup. I am just taking the opportunities that present themselves."
Samantha Logic added 17 points for Iowa, and Bethany Doolittle had 16.
"Brenda has done a wonderful job with this basketball team," Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. "She's an Iowa girl. So, we are proud of her success but we wish we could have given her that first loss in the Big Ten tonight."
TIP-INS
Iowa: Disterhoft, a sophomore, has scored in double figures in 35 of 38 career starts. Iowa is 30-8 in those games.
Maryland: The Terrapins have won 19 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents, dating to 2007. Maryland also has been dominant in its inaugural season in the Big Ten, leading the conference at 83.2 points per game.
Massive Production
Jones, a sophomore has three straight double-doubles and five in her past six games for Maryland. She also ranks second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (4.0).
NEXT
Maryland travels to Penn State on Thursday night.
Iowa hosts Ohio State on Thursday night.