The 7th-ranked Maryland Terrapins survived a scare and prevailed in overtime, 62-56 against the scratching and clawing Northwestern Wildcats at a relieved Xfinity Center.
The story of the game was Big Ten defense which showed up for both teams as neither squad scored more than 20 points in the second half.
With the score tied at 48-48, Maryland’s Melo Trimble, who hit a thrilling last second game-winning three-pointer earlier in the year against Wisconsin, held the ball for the last shot with two seconds left in regulation for Maryland but this time it was off the mark.
He made up for his miss in overtime. His three-point play gave the Terrapins a 51-48 lead and he later assisted on two more Maryland baskets in overtime as the Terrapins outscored the Wildcats 14-8 in the extra frame to earn a hard-fought victory.
Maryland freshman Diamond Stone sank the two deciding free throws in overtime, giving Maryland a 60-56 lead with 31 seconds to play in the game.
Northwestern’s Bryant McIntosh then missed a jump shot and a foul sent Maryland’s Robert Carter Jr. to the free throw line where he calmly sank both shots to help his team cement the win. Maryland was 8 for 8 on fouls shots in the overtime period.
Maryland improved to (17-2, 6-1 Big Ten) good for second place in conference play and were led by Trimble who scored 18 points and dished out six assists.
Carter added 10 points and a team-high 14 rebounds to go along with three blocks, two assists and one steal. Stone provided a spark off the bench and scored 11 points. Jake Layman had a fine all around game. He scored eight points hauled in seven rebounds blocked three shots and had three steals.
The Terrapins got off to a slow start in this game and a slew of turnovers helped the Wildcats jump out to a 24-17 lead with 9:08 to go in the first half.
Down 27-21 with 4:35 left to go before the break, the Terrapins went on a 10-2 run to lead 31-29 at the half.
In the second half the Terrapins sprinted to a 39-31 lead with 14:34 to go but then each team clamped down on defense the rest of the way.
Northwestern tied the game on the strength of their own 10-2 run at 41-41 on a shot by Dererk Pardon with 9:04 to play in the game.
Each team would then score only seven more points in regulation.
The Terrapins ended the game with a season-low 17 points in the second half while their defense held the Wildcats to 19 points after intermission. By contrast, the Terps scored 48 points in the first half in their last game against Ohio State.
The team’s went scoreless with 2:34 to go in regulation, tied 48-48. The Wildcats had a chance to win in regulation but Trimble swiped the ball and the Terps called timeout to set up the last shot which clanked off the rim and set up the exciting finish.
The team’s combined to make only 15 shots in the second half. They were also a combined 2 of 15 on three-pointers in the ugly second half. The Terps were 16 for 19 at the free throw line while Northwestern was 5 for 12 from the charity stripe.
The Terrapins offset a tough offensive showing by playing perhaps their best defensive game of the season. they overcame 16 turnovers by causing 12 turnovers, blocking eight shots and recording six steals.
Northwestern played hard and out rebounded the Terps 41-32 including 16 offensive rebounds.
They were led in scoring by Aaron Falzon who had 13 points. Pardon chipped in with 11 points and McIntosh added 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a losing effort for the (15-5, 3-4) Wildcats.
