Box Score COLLEGE PARK, MD -- With contributions across the board, Maryland opened its 2023-24 season with a resounding 68-53 victory over Mount St. Mary's on Tuesday evening at the XFINITY Center. The win marked the Terps' 47th consecutive season-opening win at home and 12th straight home win overall.
True freshman DeShawn Harris-Smith impressed in his Maryland debut, finishing with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting and four rebounds.
Julian Reese picked right off where he finished last season, totaling 18 points and eight rebounds. In an all-around effort,
Jahmir Young added 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Terps were in control the whole way and ended the night shooting a solid 24-of-49 from the floor (49 percent). Led by Reese, 40 of Maryland's 68 points came in the paint.
In what has become a trademark under Kevin Willard, the Terps excelled defensively, just as they did all last season, forcing 14 turnovers and holding the Mountaineers to just 35.6 percent shooting, including just 30 percent in the first half.
Coach Willard's Take
"I thought the freshman played phenomenal. I thought that was much better than anticipated. Jamie playing 15 minutes, DeShawn playing the minutes he did, even Mady in basically his first game. I thought they played fantastic, especially defensively."
From The Guys
"I was definitely excited," Harris-Smith said of his Maryland debut. "After I saw that first lay-up go through, I got comfortable. It was just back to playing basketball after that. And then I got into a zone and was able to score some more points."
"I felt like I left some points out there and could have gotten a few more rebounds, but nonetheless I'm very proud of myself and proud of this team," Reese said. "Happy we got the win."
Breaking Down The Action
- JuJu Reese scored the first five points for the Terps, who raced out to a quick 7-2 lead by the first media timeout.
- A putback from Jordan Geronimo, corner three by Jahari Long and a transition lay-in from DeShawn Harris-Smith created a 7-0 Maryland run coming out of a timeout and put the Terps ahead 25-14.
- The Terps led 33-19 at halftime behind 10 first-half points from Harris-Smith. 22 of the Terps' 33 points came in the paint.
- Donta Scott scored all nine of his points in the second half as the Terps ran away with the game.
For Openers
- The Terps have now won 47 home openers in a row dating to the 1977-78 season during the Lefty Driesell era. It is the third-longest active streak nationally and the longest in the Big Ten.
- Villanova - 56 wins
- Arkansas - 50 wins
- Maryland - 47 wins
- Head coach Kevin Willard won his 14th straight home opener as a head coach and is now 12-2 over the last 14 seasons in season openers.
- It was also Maryland's 10th consecutive season-opening win.
Double-Figures Factors
- Julian Reese reached double-figures for the 30th time in his career with 18 points.
- DeShawn Harris-Smith dropped 12 points for his first double-figure game in his Terrapins debut.
- Jahmir Young scored 12 points to score in double figures for the 107th time in his career.
Scott Scores in 100th Straight Game
- Donta Scott scored nine points for the Terps, marking the 100th straight game that Scott has scored in a game.
New Faces Making An Impact
- The Terps had two fresh faces in the starting lineup. Indiana transfer Jordan Geronimo and true freshman DeShawn Harris-Smith.
- Freshmen Jamie Kaiser Jr. and Jahnathan Lamothe as well as New Mexico State transfer Mady Traore also all saw time. Kaiser, who came to Maryland with a reputation as a big-time deep threat, sank the Terps first three of the season.
Series History
- The Terps now lead the all-time series with Mount St. Mary's, 11-0.
Numbers To Know
- 1: Deshawn Harris-Smith became the first true freshman to start a game for Maryland since Jalen Smith and Aaron Wiggins started the 2018-19 opener vs. Delaware.
- 4: Caelum Swanton-Rodger grabbed four rebounds for a new career-high.
- 11: The Terps have won all 11 games against Mount St. Mary's
- 12: The Terps have now won 12 consecutive home games.
- 14: Kevin Willard has won 14 home openers in a row as a head coach.
- 47: Maryland has won 47 consecutive home openers, dating to 1977.
- 100: Donta Scott scored in his 100th straight game as a Terrapin, last time he played and didn't score was Mar. 3, 2020 against Rutgers.
Up Next
- The Terps will travel to Asheville North Carolina for the 2023 Asheville Championship Tournament. Maryland will play Davidson on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 PM on ESPNU. The team will then play either Clemson or UAB on Sunday.
