Box Score COLLEGE PARK, MD --Â The Maryland men's basketball team closed out 2023 and its non-conference schedule with a, 75-53, win against Coppin State at the XFINITY Center on Thursday night.
Jahari Long scored a career-high 15 points in his first career start as a Terp.
Maryland (9-4) jumps into Big Ten play in the new year having won its 19th consecutive game at home, a streak that began with a December 2022 win over Saint Peter's. The 19 straight wins rank fourth nationally and is the longest streak among power conference teams. The win is also the Terps' fifth straight and eighth over the last nine games.Â
Long started in place of Jahmir Young after he had a career night of his own in the Terps' last outing on the road against UCLA.Â
The Terps entered halftime with a 20-point advantage and stifled the Eagles until the end. Maryland's defense surrendered a season-low 18 points in the first half while holding Coppin State to 8-of-25 (32%) shooting from the floor.Â
Julian Reese paced all Terps' scorers with 18 points on 9-13 shooting. He also grabbed 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double this season and 13th of his career.
Donta Scott played in his 142nd career game as a Terp setting a new program record. Jake Layman (2012-16) and Juan Dixon (1998-02) held the previous record of 141 games. Scott was one of three Terps to reach double figures with 12 points on the night.
Coppin State (1-13) suffered its sixth loss in a row. Justin Winston led the Eagles with 19 points. Winston has scored in double digits for the seventh straight game.Â
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Coach Willard's Take
"I think the biggest thing is Jahari's offensive game has gotten much better. I think he's got more confidence in his offensive game. He really is the one guy off the bounce that can beat anybody off the dribble. So I think he's starting to realize the skill he has, the game he has, and the more minutes he gets I think the more confident he gets."
DeShawn Harris-Smith on Excitement for Conference Play
"I'm definitely excited for Big Ten play it's one of the reasons I came to Maryland just because I know of the tough schedule you got to play every single year. I'm definitely excited to go against those great guys so I can compare and definitely try to get some wins and be a Big Ten champion."
Breaking Down the Action
- Maryland opened the game with an 11-0 run at the first media timeout. Jahari Long scored five quick points and Julian Reese scored four points. The Terps made five of their first seven shots during the run.
- Reese scored on three straight offensive possessions to give Maryland a nine-point advantage at the 13:58 mark. He subbed out shortly after with a team high eight points on 4-5 shooting.
- The Terps mounted a 17-2 run after a pair of Jordan Geronimo free throws. The run spanned eight and a half minutes and Maryland's defense forced six turnovers during that frame.Â
- A corner 3-pointer by DeShawn Harris-Smith gave the Terps a 31-11 lead with 4:07 left to play in the first half. The 20-point lead was solidified by seven different Terps scoring.Â
- Maryland entered halftime with a 38-18 advantage. Its defense smothered Coppin State, which was held to 8-25 shooting (32%) with only three players scoring in the half.
- Donta Scott and Jahari Long knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to start the second half. Long reached double figures for the first time this season.Â
- Maryland held a 57-31 lead midway through the second half despite a brief scoring drought. Coppin State later mounted a 10-0 scoring run to bring the game within 18 points.Â
- The Terps reinstalled its lead by boasting a 25-point advantage with three minutes to play. Kevin Willard opted to rest his starters as his team cruised to victory.
Double-Figure Factors
- Julian Reese (18 points) hit double digits for the 10th time this season and the 39th time in his career.
- Jahari Long (15 points) scored in double figures for the first time in his career. His previous career high was nine at Michigan (1/1/23).
- Donta Scott (12 points) tallied double-figures for the 71st time in his career and sixth time this season.Â
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Scott Climbing the Charts
- After scoring 12 points, Donta Scott increased his career total to 1,449 points, tying Eric Ayala (1,449, 2018-22) for No. 20 all-time.
- Scott grabbed two rebounds to increase his career total to 768 rebounds, good for No. 12 all-time. Next up is Ekene Ibekwe who grabbed 781 boards from 2003-07.Â
- Scott played in his 142nd career game as a Terp setting a new school record for games played. He passed Jake Layman (2012-16) and Juan Dixon (1998-2002) who previously held the record with 141 games played. Scott also started his 127th career game which ranks third-most in program history. The school record is 136 by Steve Blake (1999-2003).
Home Sweet Home
- Along with winning its 19th consecutive home game, the Terps also won their 15th consecutive game against an un-ranked non-conference foe. The last time Maryland lost to an un-ranked non-conference opponent was Dec. 1, 2021 against Virginia Tech in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
- Dating back to last season, Maryland is now 24-1 at the XFINITY Center.
Defensive Pressure
- The Terps allowed a season-low 18 points in the first half holding the Eagles to just 8-of-25 (32%) from the floor with no trips to the free throw line.
- Maryland allowed 19 points in the first half of the season-opener against Mount St. Mary's.
- Last season, Maryland twice allowed under 20 points in the first half - a season-low 15 against Western Carolina and 19 against St. Peter's.
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Numbers To Know
- 18: Points allowed in the first half - the fewest points allowed this season. Mount St. Mary's scored 19 in the first half of the season opener.
- 19: Consecutive home wins for Maryland, the fourth-longest home win streak in the country.
- 142: Donta Scott played his 142nd game as a Terp to set the new school record for games played.Â
Up Next
- Maryland remains home at the XFINITY Center to tip-off its Big Ten slate on Tuesday, Jan. 2 against No. 1 Purdue. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m., and will be televised on Peacock and aired on Maryland Sports Network.
