Terps get hard fought victory over stubborn Rutgers
Maryland came into the game needing a win over Rutgers to force a two-way tie for the Big Ten lead. They did just that in an ugly back and forth game. Maryland (18-4, 8-3) would seal it late for a 56-51 win. “We weren’t our best but we had to be, we were good,” said Turgeon.
Rutgers played without guard Jacob Young. Young was suspended following a driving while intoxicated arrest on Saturday.
It would be Maryland’s 14 consecutive win at home. Maryland’s Jalen Smith finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Anthony Cowan Jr. would finish with 17. Rutgers’ Akwasi Yeboah led the Scarlet Knights with 13 points and 7 rebounds.
The Terps started off the game smoking hot on offense but quickly cooled allowing Rutgers to with a 19-4 run giving the Scarlet Knights a 25-18 lead. The run was prompted by a quirky substitution that saw Darryl Morsell, Donta Scott, and Jalen Smith come out and Ricky Lindo Jr., Serrel Smith Jr., and Choi Marial check in.
When Maryland head coach, Mark Turgeon decided to end the experiment the Terps couldn’t get back on track. They would go over seven minutes without scoring. But Maryland’s defense would hold Rutgers (16-7, 7-5) scoreless for over five minutes and despite missing their last 11 shots from the field, only trailed 25-20. “You have to give them (Rutgers) a lot of credit, they’re really good defensively,” said Turgeon.
The second half started off the same as the first half ended until Maryland decided to go inside. The Terps success in the paint led to an 8-2 run that gave them a 34-31 lead. Rutgers continued to struggle on the offensive end as the Terps found success. “We really worked hard on defense the last two days. That’s who we need to be.”
With 4:23 left and the Terps up 47-43, Anthony Cowan Jr. would be called for a Flagrant 1 when Maryland had the ball. Montez Mathis would make both free throws and then Ron Harper’s fade-away would complete the four point possession typing the game at 47.
Cowan Jr. made both ends of his one-and-one but Akwasi Yeboah responded with a long jumper tying the game. After a shot clock violation on Rutgers, Cowan Jr. would get fouled on a three pointer. He would make all three giving Maryland the lead with 2:13 left. An ill-timed illegal screen on Jalen Smith game Rutgers the ball back with a chance to take the lead but the Terps defense held. “It’s on me at the end of the game to make sure we get some better looks,” said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell.
Terps would seal the deal when Darryl Morsell would make one of two free throws and Rutgers turned the ball over the possession. Morsell would go back to the line and this time he would make both giving Maryland a four point lead with 26.9 seconds left.
Jalen Smith Player of the Year Candidate
Smith turned in another big time performance. He finished with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and six blocked shots. “Stix is Stix. I felt like he was getting every rebound. Blocking shots,” said Turgeon.
Rutgers Improvement
“They’re much more confident and this team knows how to win. Some of the other Rutgers teams were learning how to win.” – Mark Turgeon
