UMBC Women’s Basketball Faces Tough Challenge Against #10 Maryland
BALTIMORE – The UMBC women’s basketball team is set to compete against #10 Maryland this Thursday evening at 6 p.m. The matchup will take place at the XFINITY Center in College Park, marking the 15th encounter between the two programs. To date, Maryland holds a perfect 14-0 record against the Retrievers, having won the latest contest 74-32 in their season opener last year.
Recent Performance
UMBC enters the game with an early 1-0 record after a strong 90-45 victory over Stevenson. This marks their first season-opening win since 2022, when they defeated Gettysburg. Star player Jade Tillman delivered an impressive performance, scoring 22 points, significantly surpassing her previous career-high of eight points. Also contributing were Heidi Williams with 16 points, Alaina Williams at 13, and Tiara Bellamy with 11. The Retrievers’ defense was a standout, forcing a staggering 36 turnovers, which allowed them to secure 19 steals, with six players achieving multiple steals.
Contributions from Veterans and New Players
Veteran players also played crucial roles: Delaney Yarborough recorded nine points and 11 rebounds, while Carmen Yánez dished out a remarkable 10 assists, marking the first time a Retriever has reached double-digit assists in a game since 2017. Newcomer Kennedy Austin contributed nine points and four steals, showcasing a promising start for the first-year players.
Analyzing the Terrapins
Maryland’s impressive performance in their season opener, where they triumphed 80-26 over Loyola (Md.), sets a challenging stage for UMBC. Leading scorer Oluchi Okanawa finished with 18 points, and Saylor Poffenbarger added 11 points and five rebounds. Notably, Maryland has a strong track record, boasting a 110-7 record (94.0%) over the last seven seasons when scoring 80 or more points.
Season Expectations for Maryland
Entering the 2024-25 season ranked #10, Maryland is enjoying its highest preseason ranking since #4 in the 2021-22 season. The Terrapins, consistent in national rankings for 16 consecutive years, were picked to finish second in the Big Ten behind UCLA this year. Key players Yarden Garzon and Kaylene Smikle, both recognized in the All-Big Ten Preseason Team, will be pivotal in their pursuit of success this season. Garzon joined the team from Indiana, while Smikle was an All-Big Ten First Team selection last year.
Fresh Talent on Display
In their match against Stevenson, UMBC introduced new talent, with first-year players Heidi Williams, Kennedy Austin, and Maisie Crowley making their debuts. Williams scored 16 points, while Austin added nine points and four steals, highlighting the potential of this new class.
Looking Ahead
Coach Candice Hill leads a roster of eight newcomers alongside five returners for the 2025-26 season. Captains Carmen Yánez, Tiara Bellamy, and Delaney Yarborough are expected to drive the team forward. Yánez, the sole returning starter, and other experienced players will need to leverage their skills against tough competition.
Recapping Last Season’s Performance
In the previous season, the Retrievers achieved a 14-15 record, tying it for the most wins since 2016-17. They reached the America East Conference Tournament as the #7 seed but lost to #2 Vermont. The Retrievers’ defense was a key factor, ranking in the top-65 nationally for scoring defense, allowing just 59.1 points per game while exhibiting strong performance at the free-throw line, finishing with a 74.7% success rate.
As UMBC prepares for their challenge against Maryland, the team aims to build on their recent success and create a competitive edge in their upcoming matchup.
