INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive-minded rematch of a game from just over a month ago, the Oregon Ducks executed a decisive fourth-quarter stand to defeat the Maryland Terrapins 73-68 in a Big Ten women’s basketball clash Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The victory, witnessed by 5,149 fans, avenged a January loss for Oregon and showcased a resilient performance defined by critical stops in the final minutes. The Ducks improved to 22-11 overall, while the Terrapins, who entered as heavy favorites according to national metrics and betting lines, fell to 23-8.

The game’s narrative was one of starkly contrasting halves and a dramatic final act. Maryland, led by a dominant first-quarter performance from Oluchi Okananwa, raced to an early 21-15 lead. Okananwa, a guard from Boston, was nearly unstoppable early, scoring 10 of her game-high 27 points in the opening period. The Terrapins’ offense, however, went cold in the second quarter, managing only 11 points as Oregon’s defense tightened. The Ducks, paced by balanced scoring, clawed back to take a narrow 31-32 lead into halftime.

The third quarter erupted into an offensive shootout, with the teams combining for 46 points. Maryland reclaimed momentum, pouring in 25 points behind continued aggression from Okananwa and interior play from Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu of London, England, who finished with 10 points. Oregon answered with 21 of its own, primarily through the playmaking of guard Katie Fiso of Seattle and the inside presence of Ehis Etute, keeping the margin razor-thin heading into the final frame.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the fourth quarter, where Oregon’s defense authored a masterpiece. Leading 57-55 entering the period, the Ducks saw Maryland’s offense completely stall. The Terrapins were held to just 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting in the quarter, with a scoring drought of over three minutes late proving fatal. During this critical stretch, Oregon’s defense, anchored by Etute’s three blocks and relentless perimeter pressure, forced a series of empty Maryland possessions.

Offensively, Oregon sealed the game at the free-throw line and with one clutch shot. With the Ducks clinging to a 67-66 lead in the final minute, Avary Cain of Santa Maria, California, delivered the dagger, sinking a three-pointer from the wing with just five seconds remaining to push the lead to four and effectively end Maryland’s hopes. Cain finished with 13 points and two blocks.

Etute, a forward from Dudelange, Luxembourg, was instrumental on both ends for Oregon, scoring 20 points, grabbing key rebounds, and recording three blocks in 31 minutes. Fiso orchestrated the offense with 14 points and five assists. For Maryland, Okananwa’s 27-point effort on 11-of-24 shooting was the lone consistent offensive threat. Saylor Poffenbarger of Middletown, Maryland, added six points and nine rebounds in a game-high 38 minutes, but the Terrapins shot just 39% from the field as a team and committed 17 turnovers.

The game was a significant result against the pregame expectations. Maryland had been projected with a 76% probability to win by Interstat’s ELO system and was installed as a 6.5-point favorite. The combined score of 141 points fell under the over/under line of 144.5.

Oregon’s victory completed a regular-season sweep of Purdue, following a win the previous night, and provided a momentum-building result as the postseason nears. Maryland, meanwhile, was left to ponder a second consecutive loss to the Ducks after their January defeat and an offensive collapse in a crucial late-season contest.