Brionna Jones had 28 points and 15 rebounds, and No. 3 Maryland beat Michigan State 89-72 on Sunday, spoiling coach Suzy Merchant’s return to the sideline for the Spartans.
Jones, who came into the game with the top field goal percentage in the nation at 69.2 percent, upped that mark by going 9 for 12. She made her first seven shots from the floor and didn’t miss one until the final minute of the third quarter. The Terrapins (25-1, 13-0) improved to 53-2 against league opponents — including conference tournament games — since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15.
Merchant came back from a medical leave of absence to coach the Spartans (16-9, 6-6) for the first time since Jan. 14.
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 24 points for Maryland, which shot 61 percent from the field in the first half and led 51-40 at halftime.
Tori Jankoska led Michigan State with 23 points. The Spartans never led in the game.
The Terps have had only two games decided by single digits in league play this year, and they were able to build a comfortable lead against Michigan State behind the 6-foot-3 Jones. Maryland outscored the Spartans 46-26 in the paint.
The Terps return home to face Wisconsin on Wednesday night.
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