Freshman Ashley Owusu dribbled out the final seconds of the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament and ultimately what would be the final seconds of the Maryland basketball season earlier this month in Indianapolis.
The Terrapins claimed an 82-65 victory against Ohio State in that title game, and a few days later learned along with everyone else that there would be no NCAA Tournament appearance for them even as one of the nation’s hottest teams, with 17 consecutive wins and a 28-4 overall record.
Owusu hoisted the conference tournament MVP trophy, and Terrapin seniors who were decidedly on a mission after back-to-back Big Ten title game losses were ebullient at their success together.
“This one is incredibly special because when you’ve had a couple of years where you haven’t been standing up there and confetti falling on you when you go off the court, you just realize how difficult it is,” head coach Brenda Frese said immediately after the game. “I think it’s even more because this group had to sacrifice so much to be able to put themselves in position to be successful.”
