Game #3: Maryland Women Clash with Ivy

No. 19 Maryland Returns to XFINITY Center for Historic First-Time Clash with Columbia

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Fresh off a decisive home-opening victory and buoyed by a dynamic backcourt trio, the No. 19 Maryland Terrapins (1-1) continue their early-season non-conference slate on Sunday, November 15, welcoming the Columbia Lions (3-1) to the XFINITY Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, with live streaming coverage available on B1G+.

Sunday afternoon’s contest marks the first-ever meeting between the Terrapins and the Lions on the hardwood. Beyond the novelty of the matchup, the game serves as Maryland’s annual Military Appreciation Game and Kids Day—complete with free youth tickets accompanying an adult ticket purchase and a postgame autograph session with the team. On the court, however, head coach Brenda Frese’s squad faces a poised, battle-tested Ivy League contender looking to bounce back from its first loss of the young season.

Maryland’s Early-Season Momentum and Backcourt Firepower

Entering her 25th season at the helm in College Park, Brenda Frese has already seen flashes of the high-octane offense and resilience that have defined her Hall of Fame tenure. Maryland opened the 2026-27 campaign across the Atlantic in Paris, France, going toe-to-toe with top-ranked South Carolina in a 101-93 thriller. Despite falling behind early, the Terrapins erupted for 60 second-half points—including 34 in the fourth quarter—to push the Gamecocks to the wire.

Returning to domestic soil for their home opener last Sunday, November 8, the Terrapins left little doubt against George Mason, cruising to an 81-62 victory. Maryland utilized a suffocating 19-2 third-quarter run to blow the game open, extending its remarkable non-conference home winning streak at the XFINITY Center to 28 consecutive games.

At the center of Maryland’s early success is a three-headed guard rotation featuring All-Big Ten honorees Addi Mack, Oluchi Okananwa, and Bri McDaniel:

Addi Mack: The sophomore guard has been nothing short of electric to start the year. Mack poured in a career-high 35 points on 14-of-20 shooting (including six 3-pointers) alongside six assists against South Carolina, then followed up with 15 points against George Mason. Averaging 25.0 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds across the opening week, she earned a spot on the Big Ten Player of the Week Honor Roll.

Oluchi Okananwa: The senior guard provides relentless energy, slashing ability, and elite rebounding from the perimeter. Okananwa nearly notched a double-double in Paris with 11 points and nine rebounds (six offensive), before erupting for 24 points and six boards in the win over George Mason—her 19th career 20-point performance.

Bri McDaniel: Back in action after missing the 2025-26 season while rehabilitating a January 2025 ACL injury, the senior floor general has seamlessly reintegrated into the lineup. McDaniel tallied 11 points and six assists against South Carolina and chipped in 12 points and five rebounds against George Mason, giving Maryland steady leadership on both ends of the floor.

Alongside senior forward Nunu Agara and promising freshman wing Trinity Jones—both of whom reached double figures in scoring against South Carolina—Maryland boasts the versatility to play at a blistering pace while crashing the offensive glass.

Scouting the Columbia Lions

While Maryland carries the Power Four pedigree, Columbia arrives in College Park with plenty of confidence and championship experience. Under 11th-year head coach Megan Griffith—who just returned to the sidelines on Thursday after serving a three-game suspension to open the year—the Lions captured the 2026 WBIT title last spring and opened this season with three straight victories over Davidson, Rhode Island, and Belmont.

Columbia’s unblemished record came to an end on Thursday night in New York, where the Lions fell 81-58 to No. 2 Michigan. However, the final score does not tell the full story: Columbia trailed by just 10 points at halftime (36-26) before Michigan’s full-court press and third-quarter surge pulled the Wolverines away.

To pull off an upset at the XFINITY Center, Columbia will rely heavily on its standout perimeter duo:

Riley Weiss: The reigning Ivy League Player of the Year is one of the premier scorers in mid-major basketball. Weiss dropped 28 points at Belmont and poured in 23 points against No. 2 Michigan on Thursday despite being the focal point of the Wolverines’ scouting report. She enters Sunday averaging 20.0 points per game and excels at drawing fouls and knocking down perimeter jumpers. [1, 2, 3]
Fliss Henderson: A stat-sheet stuffer at the guard position, Henderson anchors Columbia’s rebounding and playmaking. She opened the season with three consecutive double-digit rebounding games—grabbing 10 against Davidson, 12 against Rhode Island, and 13 at Belmont—while facilitating the offense at 4.8 assists per contest.

Junior forward Mary Ashley Stevenson also provides a steady interior presence, contributing nine points and six rebounds against Michigan after scoring 20 in the season opener.

Keys to the Game

Ball Security Against Pressure: Columbia committed 21 turnovers against Michigan’s defensive pressure on Thursday, which the Wolverines converted into 21 points. Maryland thrives in transition and will look to speed the Lions up early, forcing Columbia’s guards into uncomfortable decisions.
Containing Riley Weiss: Weiss has proven she can score efficiently against elite Big Ten defenses. Maryland’s perimeter defenders, led by McDaniel and Okananwa, must limit her clean looks from beyond the arc and avoid sending her to the free-throw line.
Controlling the Third Quarter: Both teams have seen their recent games decided coming out of the locker room. Maryland used a 19-2 third-quarter blitz to bury George Mason, whereas Columbia was undone by a 16-5 Michigan run to start the second half. Whichever team dictates the tempo in the first five minutes of the third period will hold a decisive advantage.

How to Watch and Game Details

Matchup: No. 19 Maryland Terrapins (1-1) vs. Columbia Lions (3-1)
Date & Time: Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: XFINITY Center, College Park, Md.
Broadcast: B1G+
Tickets & Info: Available via Maryland Athletics, with complimentary parking in Lots 11B, 9B, 4B, and the Terrapin Trail Garage.

With Maryland aiming to extend its 28-game non-conference home winning streak and Columbia eager to prove its mettle against top-25 competition ahead of another marquee showdown with Duke next week, fans in College Park are in for a competitive Sunday afternoon showcase.

Photo courtesy of Maryland Basketball