Instead of storming the court, Maryland fans left the game early — but for a good reason.
After a 70-66 overtime loss to Nebraska on Feb. 19, the Maryland men’s basketball team put together a convincing 88-70 win against Minnesota on Feb. 22.
The Terps improved to 19-9 overall and 10-7 in the Big Ten. They are one win away from matching their 2019-20 home record of 16-1. Maryland’s final home game is at noon on Feb. 26 against Northwestern.
Maryland, which had a 29-4 run during its last game at Xfinity Center, went on another huge run to take control against Minnesota. The Terps went on a 25-4 run after the game was tied at 20 about midway through the first half to build a 21-point lead. Ultimately, they finished the half on a 27-10 run to take a 47-30 lead into the locker room.
Maryland shot 19-for-26 (73.1 percent) from the field and 4-for-5 from 3-point range during the first half. The Terps finished the game shooting 32-for-47 (68.1 percent) and a season-best 7-for-13 from 3-point range.
Senior forward Donta Scott credited graduate guard Don Carey (10 points) for getting the team going.
“I feel like it had to do a lot with Don,” Scott said. “When it came down to it, Don stepped up to the plate and made shots, tough ones and wide open. We followed behind that and just dominated the post, and [Jahmir Young and others] finished around the cup and made shots beyond the arc. It was good to knock down shots consistently and have each others’ backs.”
Seniors Hakim Hart and Scott had 14 points apiece in the first half. Hart finished with 20 and Scott 18 after a poor shooting performance against Nebraska.
“I just told him yesterday, I said, ‘Donta, you have to relax,'” head coach Kevin Willard said. “He missed six layups against Nebraska, they were all good shots. His defensive rating against Nebraska was off the charts. … You [usually] can’t go 2-for-16 with one of your best players and still go to overtime on the road. I thought he was much more relaxed on the offensive end.”
Sophomore big man Julian Reese finished with a season-high 21 points and 12 rebounds, his seventh straight double-digit scoring game.
“Julian is one of the best big guys in the league,” Willard said. “I don’t think I would trade Julian for anybody. He’s matured, and he understands what he’s doing. We’re playing so much high-post offense, which I think has helped all of these guys. Then defensively, he’s really improved. I said it earlier in the year when everyone was saying, ‘Julian, Julian,’ that you haven’t seen him yet. I think everyone is starting to see the guy I saw in practice earlier in the year.”
“I feel like I’ve been playing with more aggression the last couple of weeks, and my confidence is definitely getting better,” Reese said.
Five Terps finished in double digits in scoring: Reese, Hart, Scott, Young and Carey.
“At any given night anybody can go out and make shots,” Scott said. “Every guy on this team is capable of stepping up to the plate and doing whatever they need or the coach needs, whether it’s defense or scoring. Tonight a lot of guys made shots and I’m happy for them.”
Maryland’s dominance continued into the second half of the game as its lead continued to grow. The Terps built their largest lead of 28 with 1:41 remaining. Minnesota could only cut Maryland’s lead down to 18 by the end of the game.
However, Willard didn’t pull his starters until less than five minutes remained in the game.
“It doesn’t really matter this time of the year. They’re used to it,” Willard said. “They didn’t want to come out. They were mad at me when I took them out. They get a day off tomorrow.”
Photo Credit: Colin Murphy/PressBox