COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - The Gophers were in command all night, leading No. 8 Maryland by as many as 16 points in the second half and seven points in the final minute.
But the Terrapins never gave up, with Kaila Charles making a buzzer-beating layup for Maryland's only lead in a 71-69 victory over Minnesota on Thursday night, stopping the Gophers' six-game winning streak.
The Terrapins trailed 54-38 in the third quarter, by 11 with 8:59 remaining and 69-62 with 50 seconds left before closing with a 9-0 run against the stunned Golden Gophers (19-8, 8-8 Big Ten).
Down 59-48 entering the fourth quarter, the Terrapins outscored Minnesota 23-10 over the final 10 minutes, forcing seven turnovers without committing one.
"Not our best, but give them credit," Minnesota first-year coach Lindsay Whalen said. "We put them in some tough spots. We guarded well until the fourth."
The loss the Gophers to 8-8 in the Big Ten, two games out of fourth place. The top four teams receive double-byes in the Big Ten tournament next month in Indianapolis.
Charles finished with a season-high 29 points, including the game-tying layup with 6.6 seconds left. After Minnesota got the ball past midcourt and called a timeout, Shakira Austin deflected the inbounds pass to Charles, who drove the length of the floor for the game-winning basket.
Destiny Pitts scored 24 and Kenisha Bell added 23 for the Golden Gophers (19-8, 8-8), whose six-game winning streak ended. Pitts, a sophomore guard, has scored at least 21 in four straight games. But she fouled out in the final minute, and Minnesota couldn't survive without her.
"We needed to stay poised," Bell said. "We didn't stay poised in the last minute, and it cost us the game."
Maryland (24-3, 13-3) gained sole possession of first place in the conference, breaking a tie with Iowa, which lost at Indiana.
It was a gratifying end to an evening that began with Maryland falling behind 15-7 at the outset and 45-36 at halftime.
Charles finished with a season-high 29 points, including the game-tying layup with 6.6 seconds left. After Minnesota got the ball past midcourt and called a timeout, Shakira Austin deflected the inbounds pass to Charles, who drove the length of the floor for the game-winning basket.
Destiny Pitts scored 24 and Kenisha Bell added 23 for the Golden Gophers (19-8, 8-8), whose six-game winning streak ended. Pitts, a sophomore guard, has scored at least 21 in four straight games. But she fouled out in the final minute, and Minnesota couldn't survive without her.
OLD FRIENDS
Whalen played for Frese in 2001-02 at Minnesota. After the Golden Gophers went 22-8 that season and Whalen was named Big Ten Player of the Year, Frese left for Maryland.
"That's a tough way to lose when you're going against your former coach," Frese said.
BIG PICTURE
Minnesota: Despite the loss, the Golden Gophers showed plenty of spirit on the road against a Top 10 team. They didn't win, but this team has clearly benefited from playing for Whalen.
UP NEXT
Minnesota plays at Rutgers next Thursday, a rematch of a game won by the Gophers 60-46 on Feb. 3.