Maryland Vs Princeton Recap 11/16/25

The #9 Maryland Terrapins (5-0) bested the Princeton Tigers (2-1) 84-68 Sunday afternoon in College Park.

The early-season non-conference clash demonstrated how both teams can be successful as the college basketball season intensifies.

The first quarter was all Maryland out of the gate. The Terps spearheaded a hot start with a 14-5 run, predicated on defense and getting out and running in transition. This quarter set the tone for what eventually led to the Terps outscoring Princeton 21-7 on fastbreak points and 38-22 in the paint.

Princeton’s defensive focus was on the interior due to a size mismatch.

Since the Tigers were throwing everything they had to compete in the paint, Maryland’s perimeter shooters were able to settle for comfortable long-distance shots and get into a rhythm early.

Saylor Poffenbarger led the charge for Maryland with 8 points in the 1st quarter while shooting 2-3 from downtown. Poffenbarger's early scoring run helped fuel Maryland's fast start by making the shots the Princeton defense was forced to give up with their focus on defending the interior.

​Despite Maryland’s hot start, Carla Berube’s Princeton was able to adjust in the second quarter. Coach Berube and Princeton switched to a press to put more pressure on Maryland and slow down the paint penetration that had plagued them in the first quarter.

Princeton Coach Carla Berube speaks on her defensive strategy and the result of Maryland making the most of their open looks

Princeton created havoc in passing lanes and got their hands on the basketball as Fatima Tall, a local product from Georgetown Visitation, had 3 steals in the quarter.

The Tigers outscored Maryland 20-8, ended the second quarter with a 12-0 run, and headed into the half only down 34-30.

In the 3rd, Maryland was able to handle the press and get back to attacking the basket. The Terrapins went 8-10 from the field, and Kaylene Smirkle relentlessly attacked the lane, drew fouls, and went a perfect 8-8 from the line in the quarter (11-11 from the FT line for the game) as UMD extended the lead to 61-48 heading into the 4th quarter.

Maryland Coach Brenda Frese on how her team was able to maintain their poise and lead after Princeton’s Run in the 2nd quarter.

The 4th quarter was almost even between the two teams, which allowed the Terps to fend off any attempts at a Princeton run and seal victory.

Princeton proved to be one of the best programs in the country and a true early-season test for the Terrapins.

If you’re a Maryland fan, you should be encouraged by the way the team responded in the wake of the news that starting Guard Lea Bartelme is out for the season with an ACL tear.

While devastating, you see the benefits from the recruiting trail paying dividends as newly minted Big 10 Freshman of the week, Addi Mack stepped right into the starting point guard role and played like a seasoned veteran.

“We didn’t even flinch,” said coach Brenda Frese in regard to how her team stepped up to the adversity of playing without a key player in the lineup.

Maryland had four scorers in double digits, and three scorers (Mack, Poffenbarger, Okananwa) with more than 15 points. They turned defense into offense, got out and ran, hit open shots, attacked the lane, and only missed one free-throw as a team.

We already knew that the Terps have a very balanced attack and versatile athletes on the defensive end, but we learned that this team, with several new players from last year, has mental toughness and depth to withstand injury and still fire on all cylinders.

If you’re a Princeton fan, you were able to confirm that playing a team with size like Maryland's will prove to be difficult all year.

However, Princeton’s actions they use to get shotmakers like Madison St. Rose, Fadima Tall (DMV Product - Georgetown Visitation), and Olivia Hutcherson open will work against almost anyone if they work against Maryland.

Noted by Hutcherson in the postgame presser, you’re not going to see teams with a combo of size and athleticism that Maryland has that often in the Ivy League.

Overall, a great measuring-stick contest for both teams that proves why both of these programs are among the upper echelon in the country.

Going forward, I encourage all fans of hoops and especially those looking to learn more about what it takes tactically and mentally to be a successful team to take a look at the games either of these programs play in the rest of the season.

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