Addi Mack Scores Career-High 35 Points as Maryland Nearly Erases 31-Point Deficit Against No. 1 South Carolina
By Brian Hradsky
FINAL: No. 1 South Carolina 101, No. 20 Maryland 93
PARIS, France — The No. 20 Maryland Terrapins women’s basketball team opened the 2026-27 season with a remarkable comeback effort against No. 1 South Carolina on Monday, November 2, at Adidas Arena in Paris. Maryland overcame a disastrous first half to cut a 31-point deficit to just six before ultimately falling 101-93 to the Gamecocks. Sophomore guard Addi Mack delivered a career-high 35 points, including 31 in the second half, to lead the Terrapins’ furious rally. Despite the loss, Maryland demonstrated the offensive firepower and determination that could make Brenda Frese’s team dangerous throughout the season.
South Carolina Overwhelms Maryland in the First Half
South Carolina entered the matchup as the nation’s top-ranked team and immediately demonstrated why the Gamecocks remain one of college basketball’s premier programs. The Gamecocks converted their first six field-goal attempts and first 11 free throws, establishing an offensive rhythm that Maryland struggled to disrupt. South Carolina also used an 11-0 run to extend its advantage, repeatedly attacking the paint and creating high-percentage scoring opportunities. By the end of the first quarter, the Gamecocks had established a commanding 33-14 lead.
Maryland attempted to respond during the opening minutes of the second quarter, receiving an important contribution from freshman Trinity Jones. Jones scored five consecutive points, including her first collegiate 3-pointer, as the Terrapins opened the period on a 9-2 run. Nunu Agara continued providing offensive production, becoming Maryland’s first double-digit scorer after connecting from beyond the arc. However, South Carolina closed the half with eight unanswered points to establish a 61-33 advantage at halftime.
The opening half exposed several weaknesses that Maryland must address before entering Big Ten competition. South Carolina’s size, rebounding ability and efficient interior offense created problems for Maryland’s defense throughout the first 20 minutes. The Gamecocks repeatedly converted opportunities near the basket while preventing the Terrapins from establishing a consistent offensive rhythm. Maryland needed significant halftime adjustments to avoid a lopsided defeat.
Addi Mack Sparks an Incredible Third-Quarter Comeback
Maryland emerged from halftime looking like a completely different basketball team, with Mack immediately taking control of the offense. The sophomore guard scored 17 points during the third quarter while converting all seven of her field-goal attempts. She also connected on all three of her attempts from beyond the arc, giving South Carolina’s defense considerable difficulty containing her perimeter shooting. Maryland outscored the Gamecocks 26-17 during the quarter and began gradually reducing the enormous deficit.
Bri McDaniel also provided an emotional moment when she connected on a 3-pointer for her first field goal since January 2025. McDaniel missed the previous season while recovering from an ACL injury, making her return an important development for Maryland’s offensive depth. Freshman Jordyn Jackson added her first collegiate points during a 9-0 Terrapins run that further energized the comeback effort. South Carolina still held a 78-59 advantage entering the fourth quarter, but Maryland had established momentum.
Mack’s performance represented much more than an impressive scoring stretch against an ordinary opponent. South Carolina entered the game ranked No. 1 nationally and featured the size, athleticism and defensive talent associated with Dawn Staley’s program. Mack nevertheless attacked the Gamecocks with confidence, repeatedly finding open shooting opportunities and converting difficult attempts. Her third-quarter performance helped transform a seemingly decided contest into an increasingly competitive matchup.
Maryland Cuts the Deficit to Six in the Fourth Quarter
Maryland continued its offensive surge during the final 10 minutes, scoring 34 fourth-quarter points against South Carolina. Mack connected on another early 3-pointer to establish a new career high and continued attacking the Gamecocks’ defense. Oluchi Okananwa reached double figures with a jumper at the 6:31 mark, while Maryland’s improved ball movement created additional scoring opportunities. The Terrapins demonstrated tremendous confidence despite having faced a deficit of more than 30 points.
Jackson delivered another important moment when she connected on a 3-pointer with approximately 4:30 remaining, reducing South Carolina’s advantage to nine points. The Gamecocks responded with seven consecutive points to regain some breathing room and temporarily slow Maryland’s momentum. However, the Terrapins refused to concede, responding with a 10-0 run that brought them within striking distance once again. Jones capped the surge with a 3-pointer that reduced South Carolina’s lead to six with just 42 seconds remaining.
Unfortunately for Maryland, the comeback ultimately ran out of time. South Carolina protected its advantage during the closing seconds and secured the 101-93 victory despite Maryland’s extraordinary second-half effort. The Terrapins outscored the Gamecocks 60-40 after halftime, demonstrating how dramatically the contest changed following the intermission. Although Maryland could not complete the comeback, its offensive performance provided encouraging evidence of the team’s potential.
Addi Mack Delivers One of Maryland’s Best Scoring Performances
Mack finished with 35 points, six rebounds and six made 3-pointers while shooting an outstanding 14-for-20 from the field. Her six 3-pointers established a new personal best, while her 35 points represented the highest scoring total of her collegiate career. She converted 12 of her 14 field-goal attempts during the second half, producing 31 points over the final two quarters. Her remarkable efficiency helped Maryland remain competitive against one of the nation’s strongest opponents.
The performance also placed Mack among some of the most productive individual scorers in Maryland women’s basketball history. Her 35 points tied for the 11th-highest single-game scoring total in program history and represented Maryland’s 71st individual 30-point performance. Mack became the first Terrapin to score at least 35 points since Kaylene Smikle recorded 36 against Washington on February 9, 2025. Achieving that milestone against top-ranked South Carolina made the performance particularly noteworthy.
Mack entered the season as an important returning contributor after earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team recognition during her first collegiate campaign. Her development could significantly influence Maryland’s offensive identity, particularly as the Terrapins navigate a demanding conference schedule. The ability to create scoring opportunities from the perimeter will remain essential against opponents featuring strong interior defenses. Monday’s performance demonstrated that Mack has the potential to become one of Maryland’s primary offensive leaders.
Maryland Receives Contributions Throughout the Lineup
Although Mack dominated the headlines, Maryland received important contributions from several other players. Agara finished with 12 points and five rebounds in her regular-season Terrapins debut after transferring from Stanford. Okananwa contributed 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds, providing an important presence near the basket. Jones also scored 11 points and collected five rebounds during her first collegiate appearance.
McDaniel added 11 points and a team-leading six assists, providing Maryland with another experienced offensive contributor. Her return gives Frese an additional playmaker capable of creating opportunities for teammates and contributing from beyond the arc. Jackson also delivered several important baskets during Maryland’s comeback, including the fourth-quarter 3-pointer that brought the Terrapins within nine. The contributions from Maryland’s newcomers and returning players demonstrated the depth available to the coaching staff.
South Carolina received an outstanding performance from Joyce Edwards, who finished with 23 points to lead the Gamecocks. Agot Makeer added 20 points, while South Carolina’s offensive balance helped the team withstand Maryland’s second-half pressure. The Gamecocks also controlled the rebounding battle, finishing with 44 boards compared with Maryland’s 36. South Carolina’s physical advantages proved especially important during the opening half.
Breaking Down Maryland’s Performance
Maryland finished the contest shooting 42.7% from the field and 43.3% from 3-point range. The Terrapins connected on 13 of their 30 attempts from beyond the arc, using perimeter shooting as a primary weapon during their comeback. Maryland also recorded 22 assists and forced 17 South Carolina turnovers, demonstrating its ability to create scoring opportunities through ball movement and defensive pressure. However, the Terrapins committed 16 turnovers of their own and struggled to overcome South Carolina’s rebounding advantage.
South Carolina shot 49.3% from the field and converted eight of its 16 attempts from beyond the arc. The Gamecocks also connected on 21 of 25 free throws, an important advantage in a game that became increasingly competitive during the fourth quarter. South Carolina recorded 24 assists, 10 steals and eight blocked shots while maintaining a significant presence around the basket. Those statistical advantages helped the Gamecocks survive Maryland’s explosive second-half scoring performance.
The quarter-by-quarter scoring illustrates the dramatic difference between Maryland’s first-half struggles and second-half execution. South Carolina outscored Maryland 33-14 in the opening quarter and 28-19 in the second, building a 61-33 halftime advantage. Maryland responded by winning the third quarter 26-17 and the fourth quarter 34-23. The Terrapins’ ability to score 60 points after halftime against the nation’s No. 1 team represents one of the most encouraging aspects of the performance.
Brenda Frese Begins Her 25th Season at Maryland
The matchup also marked the beginning of Frese’s 25th season leading the Maryland women’s basketball program. Frese entered the campaign with 631 victories at Maryland and a .780 winning percentage, establishing herself among the most successful coaches in college basketball. Her accomplishments include the 2006 national championship, three Final Four appearances, seven Elite Eight appearances and 12 Sweet Sixteen appearances. Maryland inducted Frese into its Athletics Hall of Fame in October 2026.
The Terrapins entered the season ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press preseason poll, continuing a remarkable stretch of national recognition. Maryland has appeared in the preseason AP Top 25 for 17 consecutive seasons, reflecting the consistency Frese has established in College Park. The program also entered the season following a 24-9 campaign that included an NCAA Tournament appearance. Expectations remain high despite the significant challenges presented by Maryland’s schedule.
Maryland also demonstrated its potential during preseason exhibition victories over Virginia Tech and No. 12 North Carolina. Those performances provided an early indication that the Terrapins possess the talent to compete against nationally recognized opponents. The South Carolina matchup presented a much more difficult challenge, particularly against a program that has consistently competed for national championships. Nevertheless, Maryland’s second-half response reinforced the belief that the Terrapins can challenge elite competition.
MSB Take: Maryland Must Build on Its Remarkable Comeback
Maryland Sports Blog believes the Terrapins’ performance against South Carolina deserves recognition despite the disappointing final result. Falling behind by 31 points against any opponent is unacceptable for a team hoping to compete for conference championships and advance deep into the NCAA Tournament. Maryland must improve its interior defense, rebounding and early-game execution to avoid similar situations against elite competition. However, the team’s refusal to surrender demonstrated the resilience that successful programs need throughout a demanding season.
Mack’s emergence represents perhaps the most encouraging development from the season opener. Her ability to score 35 points against South Carolina suggests Maryland possesses a player capable of taking over games against nationally ranked opponents. The contributions from Agara, Okananwa, McDaniel, Jones and Jackson also demonstrate the offensive depth available to Frese. If those players continue developing chemistry, Maryland could establish one of the more dangerous offenses in the Big Ten.
The biggest concern remains Maryland’s defensive consistency, particularly against teams capable of dominating the paint. South Carolina established its enormous early advantage through efficient shooting, physical play and offensive execution that Maryland struggled to disrupt. The Terrapins cannot expect to overcome massive deficits regularly, regardless of how explosive their offense becomes. Stronger starts and improved rebounding will be essential as the schedule becomes increasingly competitive.
Still, Maryland’s 60-point second half against the nation’s top-ranked team should provide considerable confidence moving forward. The Terrapins proved they can challenge South Carolina when they execute offensively and apply consistent defensive pressure. Frese now has an opportunity to use the season opener as a teaching moment while emphasizing the determination her players demonstrated during the comeback. Maryland may have lost the game, but its performance showed why opponents should not underestimate the Terrapins this season.
What’s Next for Maryland?
Maryland returns to College Park for its home opener against George Mason on Sunday, November 8, at XFINITY Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the contest available on B1G+. The Terrapins will look to earn their first victory of the 2026-27 season after opening against the nation’s top-ranked program. Mack and her teammates will have an opportunity to build on their impressive second-half performance in front of the home crowd.
For Maryland, the challenge now becomes turning an encouraging comeback into consistent winning basketball. The Terrapins have already demonstrated their ability to score against elite competition, but defensive improvements will determine how far this team can advance. Frese has assembled a roster with experienced contributors, promising newcomers and an emerging star in Mack. If Maryland combines that offensive talent with stronger defensive execution, the Terrapins could become a formidable opponent throughout the 2026-27 season.
