On a day with two championship teams inside the Xfinity Center and a chance to honor former head coach Lefty Driesell, Maryland wasn’t able to get over the hump vs. Illinois in an 85-80 home loss. Jahmir Young led the way with a game-high 28 points while Julian Reese recorded his 14th double-double of the year after posting 18 points and 11 rebounds. Maryland turned back to Mady Traore in the starting lineup while Jamie Kaiser Jr. was a late replacement for Donta Scott, who was injured during warmups, but Illinois opened the game in stride from deep. Illinois turned to the three ball early to build a quick seven-point lead before the Terps were able to tie it up seven minutes into the first half. Marcus Domask, however, would prove to be a thorn in Maryland’s side early as his 13 first-half points were the spark for the Illini offense. Illinois shot 50% from the field in the first-half, including over 41% from three. That would change with seven minutes left in the first half when Jahmir Young went on a personal 4-0 run to give Maryland a 27-26 advantage and its first lead of the game. After Domask responded at the rim, Jahmir Young answered right back after converting an and-one only for Julian Reese to knock down a pair of free throws to give Maryland a four-point cushion. That’d be the last time that Maryland was ahead on Saturday as they led for less than two minutes against Illinois. A 14-6 run to end the first half gave the Illini a 43-38 advantage heading into the break as Terrence Shannon Jr. converted all four free throw attempts in the final minute, but Maryland would answer back to open the second half after Julian Reese’s layup cut the deficit back to two points. While no team led by more than seven points the rest of the way, Maryland failed to produce the defensive stops that fans have become accustomed to watching through the season. To make matters worse, head coach Kevin Willard had to navigate through foul troubles with DeShawn Harris-Smith, Jamie Kaiser Jr., Jahari Long and Julian Reese all playing through four fouls down the stretch. Maryland would capitalize at the free-throw line in the closing minutes as Jahmir Young and Donta Scott, who scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, knocked down four free throws over a 15-second span with just under six minutes left to tie the game at 68. Illinois responded with an immediate answer as they did through the second half, twice drilling layups after the Terps cut the deficit to one. Down 79-75 in the final minute of regulation, Maryland opted to play out the possession only for Jamie Kaiser Jr. to foul with four seconds left in the possession, giving the freshman his fifth foul of the game as Illinois stretched the lead to six. A late three from Jahari Long was too little too late as Terrence Shannon Jr. scored the final eight points for the Illini to hand Maryland its fourth loss in the last five games. Maryland will return to action on Tuesday night to face Wisconsin, who is coming off a two-point overtime loss to Iowa. Related Links Former Maryland HC Lefty Driesell passed away at 92Gary Williams on ’04 ACC championship, ACC days, thoughts on WillardLocal four-star edge still has Maryland in his top group (+)
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