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Writer's pictureAhmed Ghafir

Maryland rides dominant second-half in 67-61 win over Penn State

A dominant second half gave Maryland a 67-61 win over Penn State, their first win against the Nittany Lions since December 1, 2018.


For the second straight game, Maryland was without Eric Ayala in the starting lineup but it was Qudus Wahab who shouldered the scoring load early with seven points in the first four minutes. Donta Scott quickly settled in shortly as the Terps’ big men accounted for 14 of the first 15 points. Maryland led by as many as six in the first half as they shot 44.4% from the field, but Penn State’s perimeter shooting helped keep it largely within a two possession game.


After Julian Reese knocked down a three to put Maryland up 21-17, the Nittany Lions took advantage of what would be the first and only Terps’ first extended scoring drought as an 11-3 run gave Penn State a 28-24 edge and their largest lead of the night. After Maryland interim head coach Danny Manning called a 30-second timeout, Donta Scott responded with a quick two before Ian Martinez picked the pocket of Sam Sessoms and turned it into a layup in transition in the final seconds of the first half, sending the game tied at 28 heading into the locker room.


After Penn State opened with a 34-30 lead in the second half, Maryland took control and never gave it back as a 18-5 run was spurred by 16 combined points from Fatts and Ayala to help take a 48-39 lead. But the theme of the second half as seven of the season-high 11 steals came in the final stanza, forcing Penn State into nine turnovers as the Terps’ halfcourt and full court press generated pressure.


“Whenever you're that disruptive defensively, it gives your team a chance to score against the other team's broken defense if you will,” Maryland interim head coach Danny Manning said of Martinez and Hart postgame. “Because it's easier to set your defense on a made bucket. So you're gonna steal, you got to stop, you get a deflection, you get out in transition, you're in open court, a lot of good things can happen, happen for our team in open court. Ian's able to get to the rim, I think [Hakim] got to the rim for an and-one opportunity. So when those guys have active hands and great anticipation, it leads to easier scoring opportunities for us.”


Maryland also switched between man and zone—even flashing a 2-1-2.


“That's a defense we've used before and we know we have a short rotation so we have to pick and choose when we use it because it is an exhausting type of defense,” Manning added. And you know, we were going to come out and just throw a different look at them. That was the main purpose of it. And the first time we did I believe they threw the ball turned it over. And then we went back to it a few more times and you know, made it a disruptive type of defense and getting into their offensive flow.”


Penn State big John Harrar was a thorn in the Terps’ side as he finished with 14 points, but a pair of late misses at the free-throw line helped maintain a slight Maryland lead down the stretch. Penn State would cut into the lead in the closing minutes, giving themselves one last chance after Harrar converted an and-one at the rim to trim the lead to 59-54, but late free throws from Fatts Russell preceded a steal in the final thirty seconds to seal the 67-61 win. The veteran finished with 18 points, two points shy of his fourth consecutive 20-point performance, but Fatts saw the green light on Monday night.


“Definitely was a closer for us. got open in press offense, strong with the basketball knew Penn State had to foul, drew the fouls and stepped to the line and knocked down big free throws for so you know that presence, his experience was really big for us but also the guys taking the ball out of bounds recognizing that he was open and getting the ball to him right away.”


Maryland moves to 13-14 (5-11) on the season and will play at Indiana on Thursday at 7 PM.


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