Wildcats Fall to Top-Seeded Maryland in B1G Tournament Semifinals

3/5/2016 4:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Mallory Majcher

INDIANAPOLIS – Junior Nia Coffey set a Big Ten Tournament record with 100 total points after pouring in a season-high 31 points in the semifinals, but Northwestern was knocked off by top-seeded Maryland, 83-62, on Saturday afternoon at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Coffey led all scorers as junior Allie Tuttle joined in double figures with a career-high 10 points.

Maryland opened scoring after a quick bucket following the tip and jumped out to a 5-2 lead after two minutes of play. Coffey responded with back-to-back triples to give the 'Cats the lead, 9-8, but the Terps used an 11-0 run to break open the game in the first quarter.

After 10 minutes, UMD led 25-14.

The Terrapins continued their tear in the second stanza with six-unanswered points, but a jumper from Tuttle gave the Wildcats the momentum they were looking for. Northwestern cut its deficit to just seven with a 10-0 surge over four minutes to stay in the game.

The teams exchanged baskets down the stretch and Maryland entered the halftime break with a 37-30 lead.

Northwestern surrendered five early points to start the third quarter before a Coffey layup broke UMD's run. The Wildcats, however, were unable to string together consecutive baskets as Maryland hung on to a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.

NU made a run late in the fourth quarter, but the Terps hung on for the win to advance to the Big Ten Tournament finals.

For the game, Northwestern shot 34 percent (24-70) from the field, 25 percent (5-20) from 3-point range and 82 percent (9-11) from the charity stripe. Maryland connected on 53 percent (31-59) of its shots, including 25 percent (5-20) from beyond the arc and 80 percent (16-20) from the free-throw line.

The Wildcats may continue postseason play in the WNIT if they receive an at-large bid. The 64-team field of will be announced on Monday, March 14.

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