MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The hot Terrapins won their fourth consecutive game to move into a tie for third place in the Big Ten with a dominating 81-46
victory at Williams Arena on Saturday night. Maryland (16-7, 7-5 Big Ten) has won all four games by double-figures marking the first time the Terps have won four conference games by 10-plus points since 2007, in the ACC.
The win by +35 points equaled Maryland's largest in a Big Ten conference game, tying a 35-point win over Ohio State, 100-65, on Jan. 16, 2016. The win was the largest road win for the Terps since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15. It was Maryland's largest road conference win since winning at Clemson, 81-41 (+40) on Dec. 4, 1953, the Terps' second-ever game in the ACC.
The school record for margin of victory in a conference game is +40, which they did three times in the ACC. The Terps threatened that mark in the second half, leading by as many as 42.
Four Terps scored in double-figures as
Julian Reese continued his strong play of late with 16 points and five rebounds.
Jahmir Young scored 14 for his ninth game in a row with double-figures.
Donta Scott recorded 13 points and six rebounds.
Ian Martinez netted his Big Ten-best with 11 points, making three 3-pointers.
Maryland's defense continued its stellar play holding its opponent to fewer than 60 points in a game for the 11th time this season including five of the last six games. The Gophers (7-15, 1-11) shot just 34.2 percent from the floor and committed 16 turnovers.
With Minnesota scoring just 46 points, it was fewest the Terps have allowed in a Big Ten game since holding Nebraska to 45 on Feb. 6, 2019, which was the fewest in Big Ten for Terps. The win was Maryland's first in the Big Ten on the road this season, they are 6-0 at home in conference games.
Willard's Take
"I'm proud of these guys, we wanted to come out and play a solid 40 minutes. I thought we came out very focused in the first 10 minutes, I though we got a little sloppy [in the first half] but the way we ended the first half and the way we came out halftime was really impressive."
"We wanted to come out and really defend at a high level and offensively get the ball moving side to side. I thought we got a lot of good open looks early and the ball movement was really good."
"I think Julian has become a dominant inside player, he is a guy we feel very comfortable running an offense through. I think he is playing unselfish, physical and some really good basketball."
Breaking Down The Action
- Maryland jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead in the first three minutes of play thanks in part to a lay-up followed by a three-pointer from Scott.
- The Terps continued their hot shooting early hitting 8-of-11 and building out an 18-8 lead forcing a Minnesota timeout with 12:29 left in the first half.
- A flurry of triples, including back-to-back treys by Ian Martinez, followed by a putback from Reese built out a 30-11 lead for the Terps with eight minutes to go in the first stanza. With a 35-13 lead with 5:46 left in the first half, the Terps equaled their largest lead in a Big Ten game this season.
- With a 41-21 lead at the half, the Terps equaled their largest point total in a first half of a Big Ten game this season (led Illinois 41-34 on Dec. 2).
- The 20-point lead at the half was the largest in a Big Ten game since leading Rutgers 40-19 on Jan. 5, 2019. Also, in allowing just 21 first half points, it was the fewest by a Terps' Big Ten opponent in the first half since Rutgers had just 20 on Feb. 21, 2021.
- The second half was more of the same for the Terps as Maryland's lead ballooned to 30 points on a Don Carey three-pointer just 2:29 into the half as part of a 13-0 run. Martinez hit a jumper for a 35-point lead at 66-31.
- The lead was as large as 42 at 78-36 punctuated by a three-pointer by Jahari Long with 4:01 left in the game.
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Double-Figure Fun
- Julian Reese (16 points) hit double figures for the 11th time this season and 18th of his career. He has scored 10-plus in six of his last eight games.
- Jahmir Young (14 points) scored in double figures for the ninth consecutive game and 20th time this season. This marks the 95th time in his career that he has reached double figures.
- Donta Scott (13 points) reached double figures for the fourth straight game, the 14th time this season and the 59th game of his career. He notched 11 points in the first half.
- With 11 points Ian Martinez tallied his fourth game in double figures this season and 13th time in his career.
Defense!
- The Terps held their opponent to less than 60 points for the 12th time this season and fifth time in the last six games.
- Maryland has held opponents to just 55.8 points per game over the last six games.
- Maryland has held 12 of 22 opponents to 40 percent or less from the floor, including Minnesota shooting 34.2 on Saturday.
- Over the last six games, opponents are shooting 41.8 from the field including 31.3 from three-point range.
Donta In The Record Books
- Scott moved up to No. 36 in the all-time scoring records for Maryland with 1,208 career points. He passed Larry Gibson (1,198 from 1975-79) and Eric Hayes (1,201 from 2006-10) to move up two spots. Next on the list at No. 35 is U.S. Olympian Steve Sheppard, who scored 1,219 from 1974-77.
- Scott also climbed the program rebounding ranks, moving to No. 24 all-time with 636. He passed Travis Garrison (628 boards from 2002-06), Lawrence Boston (629 boards from 1975-78) and Evers Burns (634 rebounds from 1989-93). Next on the list with 647 is new Maryland Hall of Famer Greivis Vasquez at No. 22 from 2006-10.
Terps Dominating The Series
- Maryland has won eight consecutive games in the series to lead 14-2 all-time.
- The Terps are now 7-1 in road games at Minnesota all-time, winning the last five in a row dating to 2017.
Notes and Nuggets
- Over his last eight games, Young is averaging 17.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game along.
- In taking a 22-point lead midway through the first half, Maryland had recorded its largest lead in the Big Ten this season, the previous biggest lead was +22 twice against Nebraska on Jan. 28, 2023.
- The Terps are now 15-0 when leading at the half this season. Maryland has won 20 games in a row when leading at the half dating to last season.
Up Next
- The Terps will continue their two-game road swing on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Michigan State. Tip off is set for 9 pm and the game will air on ESPN2 and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.
