Basketball season in College Park has unofficially begun.
Maryland women’s basketball traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina, to face historic ACC foe NC State in a season-opening exhibition match. The Terps ultimately fell to the Wolfpack Sunday, 83-75, albeit without star guard Kaylene Smikle.
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In her absence, it was guard Oluchi Okananwa that took over the burden for the Terps. The Duke transfer scored a game-high 21 points on 6-for-15 shooting while adding seven rebounds. She also made seven of eight free throws.
Okananwa and Saylor Poffenbarger were the only Terps to shoot above 40% on the day. Poffenbarger finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds while making five of nine shots, a pleasing development for a player the Terps will expect to step into a larger role this season.
The only other Terp to finish with double-digit points was freshman guard Addi Mack, who finished the game with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
While it was a scrimmage, head coach Brenda Frese will not be pleased with Maryland’s fourth quarter. The Terps did not make a field goal over the last 6:33 of the game, throwing away a six-point lead.
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Maryland’s next exhibition game comes at the Xfinity Center against Point Park (Pa.) Thursday at 6 p.m. The Terps officially kick off their season against Loyola (Md.) on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.
In other news
Maryland women’s soccer battled to a 0-0 draw in the final game of its season. Jude Wilkenfeld had the recap.
Maryland volleyball lost against No. 25 UCLA in straight sets late Saturday night. Anika Stikeleather broke down the action.
Zion Elee, Maryland football’s 5-star class of 2026 commit who has said he shut down his commitment, was spotted at South Carolina Saturday.
Maryland women’s lacrosse announced its new numbers for the 2026 season.
Maryland baseball lost two games against St. John’s.
Three-star defensive lineman Tavian Branch, a former Penn State commit and Maryland target, opted against visiting Maryland football after previously having the visit locked in.
Former Maryland offensive lineman Spencer Anderson got involved in the passing game Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
