Maryland women's basketball avoids upset, defeats Norfolk State

Terrapins rally in fourth quarter to advance in NCAA Tournament

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:07am

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The fourth-seeded Maryland Terrapins women's basketball team held off a late surge from 13th-seeded Norfolk State, winning 82-69 to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Sarah Te-Biasu and Kaylene Smikle led a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter to help the Terrapins pull away.

Why it matters

Maryland was heavily favored entering the matchup, so avoiding the upset keeps their hopes of a deep tournament run alive. Norfolk State's strong performance shows they were a tough out and could have pulled off a major surprise had a few more shots fallen.

The details

The Terrapins led for most of the game, but Norfolk State made a late push to cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter. That's when Te-Biasu and Smikle took over, sparking a decisive 12-2 run that allowed Maryland to regain control and close out the victory.

  • The game was played on March 17, 2026.

The players

Sarah Te-Biasu

A key player for the Maryland Terrapins women's basketball team.

Kaylene Smikle

Another important contributor for the Maryland Terrapins in their NCAA Tournament victory.

Maryland Terrapins

The fourth-seeded women's basketball team from the University of Maryland.

Norfolk State

The 13th-seeded women's basketball team that put up a strong fight against Maryland in the NCAA Tournament.

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The takeaway

Maryland's ability to withstand Norfolk State's late push and pull away in the fourth quarter demonstrates the Terrapins' resilience and experience, which will be crucial as they continue their NCAA Tournament run.