COLLEGE PARK, MD – The Maryland men's basketball team took down the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, 76-55, on Tuesday night at XFINITY Center behind Eric Ayala's team-high 20 points. Ayala had one of his best shooting nights of the season as he shot 8-of-13 from the field, including three three-pointers. 

Along with Ayala, Donta Scott (17 points), Julian Reese (12 points), Qudus Wahab (11 points), and Hakim Hart (10 points) finished in double-figures for Maryland. 

The Terps (7-4) dominated on the boards, finishing with a 46-28 advantage, including grabbing 25 in the second half. Maryland was also hot from the free throw line, making a season-high 23 free throws at an 88% clip.

The Terps defense was just as strong, holding Lehigh to just 32% shooting and 23% from distance. Hakim Hart finished with a career-high five steals, the most a Terp has had since Aaron Wiggins collected five against Delaware on Nov. 6, 2018. 


Breaking Down The Action

• The Terps looked to establish a presence in the paint early as its first six made shots of the game came right near the basket. However, the Mountain Hawks kept pace as the two team's traded the lead during the first 10 minutes of the game. Reese gave the Terps a spark off the bench by notching a pair of layups and a key three-pointer to tie the game at 19 with 8:15 remaining in the half. That three-pointer sparked a 9-0 run with Maryland taking a 25-19 lead with 6:02 left in the half. Four straight field goals from the Terps, punctuated by an Ayala three-pointer, gave the Terps a 32-24 lead with 4:11 left. Lehigh wouldn't go away quietly, as Maryland would take just a 37-34 lead into halftime.
• Maryland started the second half on a 8-0 run, led by six quick points from Ayala, to take a 45-34 lead with 17:15 remaining in the half. A separate 7-0 run started giving the Terps separation, as they took a 52-36 lead with 13:16 remaining. Maryland would continue stifling the Mountain Hawks while going on scoring runs, including another 6-0 run down the stretch of the game and holding Lehigh without a field goal over the final few minutes. 

Double-Figure Update

• Ayala (20 points) has scored in double-figures in nine games this season and now has 60 in his career. 
• Scott (17 points) scored in double-figures for the sixth time this season and 29th time in his career. 
• Reese (12 points) had his fourth career game in double-figures. 
• Wahab (11 points) scored in double figures for the fifth time as a Terp and 28th time in his career. 
• Hart (10 points) scored in double figures for the fifth time this season and 13th time in his career.

Series History

• The Terrapins are now 3-0 all-time against Lehigh, having met in 1970 and 2007 (both in College Park).
• In the last meeting on Nov. 23, 2007, Greivis Vasquez scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Terps to a 72-51 victory.

Up Next 

• Maryland will return to the court on Thursday, Dec. 30, where it'll take on the Brown Bears inside XFINITY Center at 7 p.m.
• The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.