After a 77-47 loss at Ohio State Sunday, the Illinois women’s basketball team (10-8, 1-6) begins the semester at the State Farm Center Thursday to play No. 20 Maryland (14-4, 5-2).

The Maryland Terrapins are currently tied for second in the Big Ten alongside the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Illinois has been on the road more than they have been at the State Farm Center this calendar year, and Thursday’s matchup will be the first time Illinois has played in Champaign since defeating Minnesota Jan. 12.

Illinois has never defeated Maryland in program history, holding a 0-10 record in the series. Though Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014, the two teams first played in 1982.

The Illini most recently lost to the Terrapins, 71-62, on March 2 at Maryland.

The Terrapins most recently defeated the Indiana Hoosiers at home Monday night, which is a team that the Illini lost to on Jan. 6.

Maryland defeated the Hoosiers, 76-62, Monday, after being led by forward Shakira Austin’s 22-point performance.

Illinois’ last game ended in a loss against Ohio State on Sunday in Columbus. Senior forward Ali Andrews led the Illini with 14 points.

Senior guard Kaila Charles is leading Maryland in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.4 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game.

Junior guard Petra Holešínská leads the Illini in scoring, with 14.3 points per game, while freshman forward Kennedi Myles is leading Illinois in rebounding, with 9.0 rebounds per game.

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