Maryland Women Beat George Mason 81-62
Maryland's women's basketball team opened its home season with an 81-62 win over George Mason.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Basketball
Maryland women's basketball, ranked No. 20, defeated George Mason 81-62 in its home opener. The Terrapins held the Patriots to 33% field goal shooting while forcing 28 turnovers.
Why it matters
The win follows a season opener against No. 1 South Carolina in which Maryland allowed 101 points, and the defensive performance against George Mason shows a different side of the team. It gives College Park fans an early look at the squad's rotation and defensive identity.
Oluchi Okananwa led Maryland with 24 points, and Maryland outscored George Mason 14-4 on fast-break points. Maryland also pulled down 15 defensive rebounds in the first half alone.
The players
Oluchi Okananwa
Maryland guard who led the team with 24 points in the home opener against George Mason.
Lea Bartelme
Maryland player who recorded a team-high seven rebounds and five assists against George Mason.
The details
Maryland used a man-to-man defense to limit George Mason's shot opportunities, and Trinity Jones and Addi Mack blocked shots that forced shot-clock violations. Lea Bartelme added a team-high seven rebounds and five assists.
Timeline
November 8, 2026: Maryland defeats George Mason 81-62 in its home opener.
Season Trajectory
Maryland's bounce-back defensive effort after allowing 101 points to No. 1 South Carolina suggests the team can compete defensively against lower-ranked opponents. How it translates against stronger competition will shape its standing in the early season.
The 28 forced turnovers and 14-4 fast-break edge show how Maryland generated easy offense, which matters for anyone tracking the team's scoring output. Fans following Okananwa and Bartelme can watch whether those contributions carry into the next games.
The takeaway
Maryland's defense held a Patriots team that shot well in other games to 33 percent from the field, a sign the team can lock in on defense when it matters. Watching whether that effort holds through conference play will show how much the win reflects a lasting change.
Further reading
For more on the program, see Basketball coverage from College Park.
