COLLEGE PARK — As the third quarter approached on Saturday, Kaylene Smikle found herself facing a troublesome hoop inside Xfinity Center. During halftime, while the Maryland women’s basketball team gathered near the bench, the junior guard lingered back, attempting to find her rhythm with some shots.
In her NCAA tournament debut against Norfolk State, Smikle struggled, but it was just her and the basket while she practiced. She took a 3-pointer. Clank. Another shot. Clank. After a teammate grabbed the rebound and passed it back to her, she finally found success.
While the fourth-seeded Terps secured an 82-69 victory over No. 13 seed Norfolk State, the real transformation came post-halftime. In the first half, the Terps appeared tense and unsteady, almost resigned to a second consecutive season without an NCAA tournament victory. However, in the second half, they rediscovered their scoring touch and confidence, avoiding a potential upset.
“I was a bit nervous in the first half,” noted Smikle, who contributed 21 points and four rebounds in the match. “This is my first game in March, and I think feeling nervous is normal.” The victory sets up Maryland for a second-round clash against No. 5 seed Alabama on Monday, which defeated No. 12 seed Green Bay earlier that day.
Following a significant loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Conference quarterfinals, Maryland (24-7) had a week to reflect on their performance before learning they secured a No. 4 seed and would host a game. This was a pleasant surprise, especially against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Spartans (30-5), who had been on a hot streak since before Christmas.
Unlike the previous year’s NCAA tournament opener, where Maryland saw a significant first-half lead evaporate into a loss, Saturday’s performance showcased growth. The Terps, heavily favored with a revamped roster led by first-team All-Big Ten selections Smikle and senior guard Shyanne Sellers, opened the game hesitantly, allowing Norfolk State to score the first seven points and maintain a lead for over 13 minutes during the first half.
However, the Terps ignited in the third quarter, quickly scoring 11 points from their first four shots. Graduate transfer guard Sarah Te-Biasu initiated this momentum, and Smikle shifted into high gear after a shaky first half. With improved focus and composure, the Terps finished strong, ultimately relying on their defense to contain MEAC Player of the Year Diamond Johnson to 18 points. Maryland will need to elevate their game further as they prepare for Monday’s matchup.
