For the first time in 11 seasons, Mark Turgeon wasn’t manning the sideline for Maryland. Turgeon and the University of Maryland came to a mutual agreement to part ways late last week
Danny Manning was introduced as the interim as the Terps faced Northwestern in the first Big Ten game of the season.
Despite the change, the Terps weren’t able to turn around their fortunes as they lost their second straight, 67-61.
Hakim Hart led the Terps with 18 points. Pete Nance scored 17 for Northwestern.
The game started off at a fast pace with both teams showing a willingness to be aggressive on offense. An early 7-0 run, highlighted by a Robbie Beran dunk over Qudus Wahab, gave Northwestern an early 9-5 lead.
Maryland’s Hakim Hart caught fire from the three point line. His third three pointer (in four attempts) tied the game at 18.
The game took a physical turn has techs were handed out to Eric Ayala and Chase Audige. Julian Reese and Qudus Wahab picked up offensive fouls while trying to post up.
An alley-oop dunk by Pete Nance gave the Wildcats a 30-27 lead at halftime.
The second started out with both teams getting their legs under themselves offensively. Hakim Hart stayed hot scoring Maryland’s first five point of the half and tying the game at 32.
Elyjah Williams’ three pointer punctuated a 7-0 run giving the Wildcats a 47-39 lead with 12:03 left.
Northwestern’s lead would grow to nine when Maryland went through a 1-13 shooting lull.
But Maryland would make a push going on a 7-0 run themselves cutting the Wildcats lead down to 53-51.
Fatts Russell’s three cut the Northwestern lead to 55-54 but that was as close as Maryland would get.
Down seven with 28.3 seconds left, Russell hit three free throws after being fouled on a three pointer but the Wildcats would hold on for the win.
