UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Eric Ayala scored a game-high 23 points, but Maryland's rally came up short Friday night as the Terrapins (10-9, 4-8) fell 55-50 at Penn State (7-9, 4-7).

Izaiah Brockington posted 13 points to lead the Nittany Lions while Jamari Wheeler finished with 11. Donta Scott added nine points for UMD.

Down five with under three minutes to play Maryland had a handful of opportunities to draw even with PSU, but couldn't get a three-point attempt to fall. A pair of free throws from Ayala would make it a one possession game with 34 seconds remaining, and the Terps nearly forced a backcourt violation on the ensuing Penn State possession.

A timeout with 21 seconds left on the shot clock bailed out the hosts, as Wheeler suk both free throws on the other end to extend the lead back to five.  

After a sluggish opening 10 minutes in the first half, the Terps started to create some separation with a 12-0 run. A Scott layup at 6:17 got things started, before Morsell capped things off with a layup of his own at the 2:47 mark to put UMD ahead 23-14. Penn State answered with 9-0 run to end the half, as the teams headed to the locker room knotted at 23.

Maryland returns to action Monday when the Terps host Ohio State at XFINITY Center. Tipoff is slated for 9:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on FS1 and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.

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