COLLEGE PARK, MD – Maryland sent its senior class out in style with a 84-73 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night at XFINITY Center. The Terps have won four of five games to return to .500 on the season at 15-15. Maryland wraps up the regular season at Michigan State on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

The Terps are now 7-12 in the Big Ten and are only a half-game behind Penn State (7-11) for the No. 10 seed, which would open play on Thursday. 

Five Terps scored in double-figures led by junior Hakim Hart, who scored 19 points. Graduate student Fatts Russell tallied 16 points. Senior Eric Ayala scored 15 and grabbed nine rebounds. Freshman Julian Reese scored 12 points to go with five rebounds. Qudus Wahab scored 10 points. 

Maryland dominated down low, outscoring the Gophers 46-16 in the paint, including a 28-6 advantage in the first half. 

Minnesota (13-15, 4-15) was led by Jamison Battle, who scored a career-high 39 points.

Senior Night Salute

• Maryland celebrated the careers of its four seniors: Eric Ayala, Fatts Russell, Xavier Green and Simon Wright on Wednesday night. 
• Ayala is a four-year member of the program, having started 108 career games and ranking third all-time in 3-pointers with 216 and 22nd in points with 1,413.
• Russell (Rhode Island), Green (Old Dominion) and Wright (Elon) all joined the program this season as graduate transfers and have made significant contributions in their lone season. 

Breaking Down The Action

• Both teams were hot to start the game as a Wahab layup with 14:32 left in the first half tied the game at 14. Green's three-pointer, Maryland's first of the game, and a dunk from Julian Reese gave the Terps a 25-21 lead with just under 10 minutes left. The Gophers three-point prowess was matched by Maryland's dominance down low as Minnesota hit eight threes in the first 20 minutes while the Terps outscored them 28-6 in the paint, with Maryland holding a 41-38 heading into halftime. 
• The Terps opened the half with three makes in the paint, but Minnesota would keep pace, bringing the score to 49-46 Maryland with just over 14 minutes left. Sparked by a flagrant foul committed against Hakim Hart, Maryland would go on a 10-0 run, increasing its lead to 59-46 with 11:18 remaining. After a 10-2 Gopher run, Ayala hit a stepback three to put the Terps up 66-58 with 4:59 left in the game. After Battle cut the lead to 70-68 with 2:34 left, Ayala answered with a three of his own just 22 seconds later to give his team more breathing room. Hart would follow with free throws and a three to put the Terps up 10, icing the game.  

Eyes on Ayala

• With 15 points in the game, Eric Ayala moved to 22nd in career scoring with 1,413 at Maryland, passing Dez Wells (1,398). Next on the list at 21st is legend James Gist with 1,414.
• Ayala also hit three three-pointers and now has 216 in his career. He's third all-time behind only Juan Dixon (239) and Greivis Vasquez (230)

Double-Figure Update 

• Hart (19 points) tallied his 17th game this year and 25th in his career in double-figures. 
• Russell (16 points) hit double-figures for the 25th time this season, including the last 13 games in a row, and 101st time in his career (in 149 games).
• Ayala (15 points) has scored in double-figures in 21 games this season and now has 72 in his career. 
• Reese (12 points) reached double-figures for the seventh time this season and just the third time in a conference game. 
• Wahab (10 points) reached double-figures for the 12th time this season and 36th time in his career.

Series History

• The Terrapins are a formidable 13-2 all-time against Minnesota dating back to the first meeting in 1960.
• Maryland has won seven straight meetings in the series, and is now 7-1 overall at home in the series.

Up Next 

• The Terps close out the regular season at No. 24 Michigan State on Sunday at 4:30 p.m., That game airs on CBS and the Maryland Sports Radio Network. 
• Maryland will then head to the Big Ten Tournament, which begins on March 9 in Indianapolis.