Walker-Kimbrough leads No. 5 Maryland in 86-43 rout of CCS

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland forward Shatori Walker-Kimbrough got off to another fast start, this time against Central Connecticut State.

Walker-Kimbrough scored 10 of her 18 points in a dominant first quarter, helping the No. 5 Terrapins to an 86-43 blowout on Saturday.

Brionna Jones added 14 points for undefeated Maryland (8-0), which stopped No. 20 Syracuse on Wednesday after another strong first quarter from Walker-Kimbrough.

She has scored at least nine first-quarter points for Maryland five times this season, a big reason it has rarely shown a hint of vulnerability against overmatched opponents. The junior also scored at least 16 points seven times. She finished 7 of 12 from the field.

"I think when you're a special player, you understand," said Maryland coach Brenda Frese. "Shatori's really embraced taking that role for us."

Maryland has three more games against unranked opponents before facing No. 1 UConn on Dec. 28.

Despite winning a fifth game of the season by at least 40 points, Frese said she won't let her team look ahead or put too much value on non-conference victories.

"There are a lot of things for us to continue to improve and do better," Frese said. "And that's what the season is about. It's about every day getting better and to prepare us, really, for March."

Freshman Kiah Gillespie had 11 points, and Tierney Pfirman and Brene Moseley added 10 points each.

Emma Stroyan had nine points for Central Connecticut State (1-7), which lost its sixth straight and was held to 53 or fewer points for a sixth time.

"One of our goals was not to be intimidated," said Central Connecticut State coach Beryl Piper. "I think we came in and we just were a little bit intimidated and not really being the aggressors."

Maryland led 22-2 after it held the Blue Devils to 1 of 12 from the field and forced seven first-quarter turnovers. Walker-Kimbrough's three transition layups, two following her steals, closed the period.

The Terps gave up 19 points in the second quarter and 22 in the third, but still won easily.

"Right now we're just trying to build and consistently play defense like that on all possessions," Gillespie said.

TIP-INS

Maryland: The Terps had eight of their 14 offensive rebounds during the first quarter.

Central Connecticut State: After scoring two points in first quarter and seven points in fourth, CCSU has failed to score in double digits in three quarters this season. The Blue Devils scored five first-quarter points in an 81-52 loss at Army. They have no other games scheduled against opponents who are currently ranked.

SWITCHING ROLES

Pfirman made her first start after four previous appearances off the bench. She missed Maryland's first three games with a hamstring strain.

"It's always great to start, but at the same time it, doesn't really matter," Pfirman said. "Whatever I can do to help my team win."

Gillespie helped out off the bench.

"It's definitely a different approach," she said. "I thought it was good to realize what it was like, to see it from a different perspective."

UP NEXT

Maryland: Hosts Loyola on Tuesday.

Central Connecticut State: Hosts Massachusetts on Saturday.