Kyndal Walker scores 20 points to lead Maryland past Murray State 99-67

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Kyndal Walker scores 20 points to lead Maryland past Murray State 99-67

2026-03-21 06:43 Last Updated At：06:50

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Redshirt freshman Kyndal Walker scored a career-high 20 points and she had plenty of help from Maryland teammates as the Terrapins defeated Murray State 99-67 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

Mir McLean provided 19 points and 14 rebounds and Addi Mack added 18 points, while Yarden Garzon had 12 points and Saylor Poffenbarger added 10 points for fifth-seeded Maryland, which hammered the Racers on the boards.

“Clearly we had a lot more size on them,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. “I think it begins there. It also just comes down to will and a want and a desire.”

The Terrapins (24-8), who matched their highest point total in a regulation game this season with the aid of 50% shooting from the field, will meet the North Carolina-Western Illinois winner in Sunday’s second round.

Halli Poock poured in 27 points and Haven Ford and Keslyn Secrist each scored 17 points for No. 12-seed Murray State (31-4), which finished with a school-record win total even though its 15-game winning streak ended.

“I’m disappointed it had to end like this, but we have a lot to be proud of,” Poock said.

Maryland’s 24 offensive rebounds were more than Murray State’s overall rebounding total in what finished as a 51-21 gap on the boards. The Terrapins compiled 33 second-chance points.

“That’s been us all season,” McLean said. “We shoot very well and also rebound very well, which makes our shooters more confident to shoot because we can always get the ball back.”

Murray State coach Rechelle Turner was expecting a challenge on the boards.

“They were relentless on the glass,” Turner said. “I thought our first stop defense was pretty good, but it’s hard to defend 33 second-chance points, 24 offensive rebounds.”

The Racers outscored Maryland 24-22 in the third quarter.

“Our energy started picking up and stuff like that and just trying to chip away,” Ford said. “We left the third quarter with confidence.”

Maryland put it away with a 14-2 run to start the fourth quarter. Murray State had given up a season-high points total with more than four minutes remaining.

Keyed by Walker, Maryland reserves outscored Murray State’s bench players by 33-0.

Maryland’s lead grew to 38-19 in the second quarter on the way to a 51-35 halftime edge. The Terrapins shot 50% in the first half with a 25-10 rebounding advantage.

Secrist scored six straight points for Murray State and the Racers used an 8-2 spurt at the end of the third quarter to close within 73-59.

Walker, Mack and Rainey Welson (7 points) combined to give Maryland 45 points from freshmen.

“It’s just nice to finally be out here and be in this moment,” Walker said. “So I was super excited, and I think it kind of just showed today. Just having the opportunity to go out there and play and just playing free and having fun.”

The trio shot a combined 17 for 33 from the floor.

McLean’s rebound total marked the most for a Terrapin in an NCAA Tournament game in nine years since Brionna Jones had 15 in a 2017 matchup with Oregon.

Poffenbarger’s 11 rebounds gave her a double-figure total for the seventh time this season and the fourth time in the last seven games.

Maryland will play at least two NCAA Tournament games for the 20th time in the last 22 tournaments.

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Fernandes stars again for Man United but Bournemouth worth a point in 2-2 scrap

BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) — Bruno Fernandes got a goal and an assist and Harry Maguire marked his return to the England squad by getting a red card as Manchester United drew 2-2 at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Friday.

After a dull first half, Fernandes, so often United’s saviour, put the visitor ahead from the penalty spot an hour in.

Ryan Christie equalized for Bournemouth with a perfectly executed low shot six minutes later.

Fernandes’ in-swinging corner was headed into his own goal by James Hill under pressure from Maguire at the far post.

Then with 12 minutes remaining Maguire — who hours earlier was named in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for pre-World Cup friendlies against Uruguay and Japan — was red-carded for bringing down Evanilson in the box.

Teenage Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi converted the penalty to make it 2-2.

The home side threw everything at its more illustrious visitor during a frantic final push but could not get a winner. Instead, it was a fifth consecutive draw for the Cherries, whose unbeaten run clicked on to 11 matches.

“I’m happy for the performance — it’s a decent point always when you face United," Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola said. "But in the big picture it’s five draws in a row. It doesn’t give you a lot in the standings. Probably, especially at the end, we were looking for a win.”

Bournemouth was 10th in the table.

United remained in third place, six points behind Manchester City, but captain Fernandes could not hide his disappointment at not taking all three points.

“We were in front two times, we gave it away,” he said.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer