Oluchi Okananwa Scores 24 as No. 20 Maryland Turns 28 George Mason Turnovers Into 27 Points in 81-62 Win

Photo: Maryland Athletics. Oluchi Okananwa, official roster photo. Card design: The Dyme.

FINAL, XFINITY Center, College Park: No. 20 Maryland 81, George Mason 62.

Oluchi Okananwa scored 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, with two threes and 4 of 6 at the line, and added six rebounds. Maryland never trailed. George Mason turned the ball over 28 times and Maryland scored 27 points off those turnovers. It was the Terrapins' first win of the season, after a 101-93 loss to top-ranked South Carolina in Paris in the opener.

Addi Mack scored 15 on 6-of-12 shooting with three threes, five rebounds and five assists. Bri McDaniel scored 12. Lea Bartelme had 8 points, a team-high seven rebounds and five assists off the bench. Maryland's bench scored 19. Anovia Sheals led George Mason with 19 points, going 5 of 7 from the field and 8 of 8 at the line.

The third quarter

Maryland led 21-10 after one quarter and 35-29 at halftime, after George Mason used a 9-0 run in the second quarter. The game turned in the third. Maryland outscored George Mason 28-18 in the period, with two 10-0 runs, and led 47-31 and then 57-33. The Diamondback counted a 20-2 Maryland run in the quarter, with seven of Okananwa's points. Maryland led 63-47 going to the fourth and led by as many as 24.

The foul line and the arc

George Mason won the free-throw battle and lost the game. The Patriots made 22 of 28 free throws to Maryland's 14 of 19, which is 22 points to 14. George Mason made 4 of 21 threes, and 18 of 54 shots overall (33 percent). By our count, the Patriots scored 22 of their 62 points at the line, 12 on threes and 28 on 14 made two-pointers.

Maryland shot 29 of 72 (40 percent) and made 9 of 28 threes. The Terrapins took 18 more field goal attempts than George Mason (72 to 54), by our count, and had 15 turnovers to George Mason's 28. Maryland scored 36 points in the paint to 24 and had 10 steals.

Maryland's rotation

Nunu Agara scored 7 on 2-of-7 shooting in 18 minutes. The Diamondback reported she was in foul trouble and that coach Brenda Frese used 11 players in the first quarter after an early lead. Marya Boiko played 19 minutes and scored 4. Maryland's school recap lists Okananwa's 19th career game with 20 or more points.

What it means

Maryland is 1-1 and has won 28 straight non-conference home games, dating to Nov. 11, 2022, according to the school. The Terrapins are 11-0 all-time against George Mason. Maryland hosts Columbia on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. George Mason (2-1) plays at Army on Wednesday.

Sources

• ESPN box score, game 401918915. Final Maryland 81, George Mason 62. Quarters MD 21-14-28-18, GMU 10-19-18-15. MD 29-72 FG, 9-28 3PT, 14-19 FT, 41 reb, 15 TO, 10 stl, 36 paint, 27 pts off TO, 17 ast, largest lead 24. GMU 18-54 FG, 4-21 3PT, 22-28 FT, 43 reb, 28 TO, 5 stl, 24 paint, 12 pts off TO. Okananwa 24 pts 9-13 FG 2-4 3PT 4-6 FT 6 reb. Mack 15, 6-12, 3-6 3PT, 5 reb 5 ast. McDaniel 12. Bartelme 8, 7 reb, 5 ast. Agara 7, 2-7 FG. Sheals 19, 5-7 FG, 8-8 FT.
• ESPN / Associated Press recap. Nov 8, 2026. Okananwa 24 on 9 of 13 with two threes. Maryland (1-1) after 101-93 season-opening loss to top-ranked South Carolina in Paris. Terrapins scored first seven points and never trailed. 21-10, 35-29, 63-47. George Mason shot 33 percent, missed 17 of 21 threes, made 22 of 28 free throws. Next: Mason at Army Wednesday, Maryland hosts Columbia Sunday.
• Maryland Athletics recap. Nov 8, 2026. 27 points off 28 turnovers. Bench 19 points, 36 in paint. Two 10-0 runs in third quarter, 28-18 quarter. 19th career game with 20+ for Okananwa. 28th straight non-conference home win dating to Nov. 11, 2022. 11-0 all-time against George Mason. Hosts Columbia Nov. 15, 1 p.m.
• The Diamondback, Christian Andriolas. Nov. 8, 2026. 20-2 third-quarter run, seven by Okananwa. Lead as many as 24. Agara foul trouble and 2-for-7 shooting. Frese used 11 players in first quarter. Maryland 9-of-28 from three. Bartelme eight points, seven rebounds, five assists. bench 19. Shells: use ESPN/school 27 points off turnovers, not Diamondback 25.
• Photo: Maryland Athletics official roster photo of Oluchi Okananwa, used inside the Dyme card.