Maryland Women’s Basketball Season Ends in NCAA Tournament Loss to North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Maryland Terrapins women’s basketball team saw its season come to an end on Sunday, March 22, 2026, with a 74-66 loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The defeat occurred despite a strong performance from several Maryland players and a determined effort to overcome shooting struggles.

Free Throw Struggles Prove Costly

Maryland struggled significantly from the free throw line, missing 14 attempts throughout the game. This inefficiency, combined with a 3-for-23 performance from three-point range, proved too demanding to overcome against a strong North Carolina team. The Terps shot under 40% from the field overall.

Senior Performances Highlighted in Final Game

The game marked the final collegiate appearance for Maryland seniors Mir McLean, Yarden Garzon and Saylor Poffenbarger. McLean delivered a double-double performance, while Garzon and Poffenbarger combined for 0-of-16 shooting from downtown. Oluchi Okananwa led the Terps in scoring with 21 points, despite also facing challenges at the free throw line, missing eight attempts.

North Carolina’s Strong Fourth Quarter Seals Victory

After a tightly contested first three quarters, North Carolina pulled away in the fourth quarter, sparked by a 13-4 run. Elina Aarnisalo led the Tar Heels with 21 points, while Lanie Grant added 20. Nyla Harris contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, and Indya Nivar scored 11.

Resilience and Fight Throughout the Season

Maryland head coach Brenda Frese emphasized the team’s resilience and unselfishness throughout a season marked by numerous injuries. Despite the disappointing end, Frese expressed pride in her team’s unwavering commitment and fight. “When you talk about all the injuries that we face this season, this group never quit. They played a 40-minute game like they were not going to quit,” Frese said.

Okananwa Reflects on Her Time as a Terp

Oluchi Okananwa, a transfer from Duke, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play for Maryland and be coached by Brenda Frese, calling it “one of the best decisions I think I’ve ever made.”

Looking Ahead

The loss concludes a season of ups and downs for the Maryland Terrapins. While the team fell short of its goal of advancing further in the NCAA Tournament, the program looks to build on its resilience and continue to compete at a high level in the future. The contributions of the graduating seniors will be deeply missed, but the Terps remain optimistic about the program’s direction.