It was a night of firsts for many families Monday night at the XFINITY Center, including the Hawkins family of Maryland.
 
For 14-year-old Therman Hawkins III, it was his first ever Maryland men's basketball game.
 
For Therman Hawkins, Jr. and wife, Monica Hawkins, it was their first Maryland men's basketball game in XFINITY Center.
 
And for the entire Hawkins family, it was their first time witnessing a thrilling Maryland victory over Wisconsin which included late-game heroics from Anthony Cowan Jr.
 
In total, 747 people obtained complimentary tickets offered by the University of Maryland to federal government employees affected by the current federal government shutdown between the Terrapins' women's basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 12, and men's basketball game on Monday, Jan. 14.
 
Hawkins Jr., an equal employment opportunity counselor, and Monica, a scientist and author of two books about raising young boys and girls, are both affected by the shutdown and saw last night's game as the perfect opportunity to see the 19th-ranked Terps in action.
 
"This was a great chance to have a family outing, relieve some stress and watch a great basketball game," Hawkins Jr. said. "Plus they were free!"
 
Maryland basketball runs in the family's blood.
 
Hawkins Jr. and Monica have been Maryland fans for decades and recalled rooting for legends like Len Bias and Juan Dixon at Cole Field House.
 
But even more so, they were excited to bring their son, who is in the Honors program at nearby DeMatha Catholic High School, to his first-ever men's Maryland basketball game.
 
One thing is for certain: that excitement turned to jubilation as Maryland held off Wisconsin to claim its sixth consecutive victory and solidify their spot towards the top of Big Ten Conference standings heading into the heart of regular season play.