In a thrilling Big Ten contest, Maryland star guard Melo Trimble calmy sank a deep 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds to play, giving the 3rd-ranked Terrapins a stunning 63-60 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center.
A last second heave by the Badgers was off the mark allowing the Maryland players and bench to explode onto the court and swarm Trimble with victory hugs of joy in celebration of his winning basket.
The Terrapins almost let the victory slip away. Up 60-52 after two Robert Carter Jr. free throws with 1:27 to play in the contest, they then missed the front end of two one and one attempts at the free throw line.
Wisconsin took advantage of their good fortune and scored eight straight points, the tying three-pointer by Bronson Koenig making the score 60-60 with 23 seconds to go in the contest.
Then the Terps decided not to call timeout and trust the game to Trimble who would not be denied.
He led the Terps with 21 points and five assists and controlled the game from his guard position from start to finish.
Maryland forward Carter added 14 points, a team high 11 rebounds and four blocks while helping the Terrapins improve to (15-1, 4-0 Big Ten).
The Terp’s freshman sensation Diamond Stone returning to his home state, scored 11 points and snagged four rebounds against the team that lost the recruiting battle for him.
Damonte Dodd had his best game of the season for Maryland scoring nine points and corralling six rebounds.
The game was a dogfight from the very beginning. The Terps jumped out to an 18-12 lead behind strong first half play by Dodd and Trimble. A steal and layup by Maryland senior Jake Layman made the score 26-19.
But the Badgers rallied to make the score 26-25 and the Terps took a lead of 36-32 into the break behind nine points from Dodd.
Maryland started the second half cold and had scored three points in about the first five minutes of the second half. Trimble later took command of the offense, scoring seven straight points and giving his team a 56-48 lead on a three-pointer with 6:50 to go and later assisted on a Stone dunk for a 58-50 lead with 4:44 to go setting up the exciting finish.
The Terps shot 52 percent from the floor while holding the Badgers to 39 percent from the field. the Terps were 4 for 11 from long distance while Wisconsin was 7 for 21 from beyond the arc. Maryland won the rebounding battle 36-32. The Terps were 9 for 12 from the free throw line while the Badgers were 5 for 11 from the charity stripe.
Wisconsin was led by Nigel Hayes who scored 17 points. Ethan Happ added 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds while Koenig chipped in with 13 points and six rebounds in a losing effort for the (9-8 1-3) Badgers.
