COLLEGE PARK, MD – The Maryland men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 65-63 decision to the No. 13 Michigan State Spartans inside XFINITY Center on Tuesday night. The Terps (11-11, 3-8 Big Ten) were led by Eric Ayala's team-high 15 points.

Michigan State's Malik Hall hit a go-ahead layup with 1.9 seconds remaining and Fatts Russell's halfcourt shot at the buzzer was no good. 

After trailing by as many as 15 points in the second half, Maryland would claw its way back and tie the game at 61 apiece after a three-pointer from Fatts Russell with 2:49 remaining. The teams would trade free throws to bring the score to 63 all with 2:20 left. 

Donta Scott tallied 14 points and Russell scored 10 points, eight in the second half. Qudus Wahab scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Terps held an advantage down low, outscoring the Spartans in the paint 32-24 and outrebounding them 31-30. 

No. 13 Michigan State (17-4, 8-2 Big Ten) was led Hall's 16 points and aforementioned game-winner.


Breaking Down The Action

• A fast-break layup from Russell and a three-point field goal from Ayala were all the scoring Maryland had at the under-16 timeout as the teams were tied at five apiece with 15:57 remaining. After a brief run by the Spartans, an 8-0 run by the Terps gave Maryland a 17-14 lead with 10:25 remaining in the first half. Michigan State would respond with another scoring burst, taking a 27-25 lead at the under-four timeout. The Spartans lead would balloon to 35-25 at the half.
• After trailing by 42-27, the Terps would reel off 11 straight points to get right back in the game at 42-38 with 14:58 left in the game. The teams would trade runs again as Maryland once again found itself down four (54-50), this time with 8:28 remaining. The Terps would get it down to 59-56 with 4:05 left after a jump hook by Scott. The lead would get trimmed to one (59-58) after two free throws from Hakim Hart with just over three minutes remaining. A three-pointer from Russell and free throws kept the game level, but Hall's driving layup proved to be the winner.  

Double-Figure Update

• Ayala (15 points) has scored in double-figures in 16 games this season and now has 67 in his career. 
• Scott (14 points) scored in double-figures for the 14th time this season and 37th time in his career.
• Russell (10 points) hit double-figures for the 17th time this season and 93rd time in his career. 

Eyes on Ayala

• Ayala's 15 points now gives him 1340 for his career, good for 27th all-time in program history. 
• The senior now trails Tony Massenburg's 1354 which was scored between 1985 and 1990 
• Ayala also knocked down one three-pointers, giving him 204, passing Mike Jones (203) for third all-time in program history. 
• Ayala now trails his former backcourt mate, Anthony Cowan Jr. (206), for third all-time. 

Up Next

• The Terps travel to Columbus, Ohio, for a matchup against the Buckeyes on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m.
• The game will be broadcast on CBS and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.