BIRMINGHAM, AL – Maryland's men's basketball season came to an end on Saturday as the Terrapins suffered a 73-51 defeat at the hands of overall No. 1 seed Alabama in the NCAA Tournament Second Round at Legacy Arena.
In his first year leading the Terps, head coach Kevin Willard led Maryland to a 22-13 record, compiling the first 20-win season by a Maryland coach in his first season and became the first head coach to lead a Terrapin team to the NCAA Tournament in his first season in College Park.
Maryland became just the second team in Big Ten history to go 10-0 at home in conference games.
Julian Reese scored 14 points and grabbed four rebounds while he was mired in early foul trouble before fouling out with 2:24 left in the game.
Jahmir Young also scored in double-figures with 12 points.
The Terrapins led for much of the first half and their defense stifled the high-scoring Crimson Tide (82.6 ppg entering the game), limiting them to just 28 first-half points and 38.5 percent shooting from the floor in the first 20 minutes. Alabama committed 11 turnovers and shot 38.2 percent from the floor for the game.
The Tide built a double-digit lead 8:30 into the second half, going up by as many as 20, but the Terps continued to battle and got back within 12 points in the late minutes
Jahvon Quinerly led the Tide with 22 points as Alabama (31-5) advances to play San Diego State in the Sweet 16. Brandon Miller scored 19 points as he shot just 5-of-17 from the floor as the Terps' defense forced him into many difficult shots. Charles Bediako had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Breaking Down The Action
- Maryland raced out to a 9-2 lead as the Terps made their first four shots of the game as Reese connected on a pair of short jumpers in the paint and Carey nailed a three-pointer.
- The Terps were locked in defensively early holding Alabama to just 3-of-12 from the floor in the first eight minutes of play. The Tide was held scoreless for more than five minutes before a Bediako dunk tied the game at 12-12 with 9:25 left in the first half. Alabama didn't take its first lead of the game until 7:30 left in the first half as Maryland nearly forced them into a shot clock violation but Mark Sears jumper was good with 0.1 on the shot clock, giving the Tide a 15-14 edge.
- Alabama reeled off nine points in a row to take a 26-17 lead with 3:15 left in the first half. The Tide led 28-23 at halftime as the Terps defense buckled down. Miller had nine to lead Alabama and Young led the Terps with eight.
- Miller scored six early points for Alabama as the Tide opened a 10-point lead at 40-30 less than five minutes into the second half.
- Alabama scored eight points in a row to lead 52-35 with nine minutes left in the game.
Big Minutes From The Bench
- With Julian Reese in early foul trouble, the Terps bench came up big as freshman Caelum Swanton-Rodger played 1:11 in the first half and grabbed two rebounds. It was his most meaningful minutes since playing more than six minutes of action at Purdue on Jan. 22, going up against Zach Edey.
- Patrick Emilien, Jahari Long, Ian Martinez all played key minutes in the game as they battled to keep Maryland in the game.
- Emilien was cut on the forehead in the second half, but came back with a bandaged head to play again.
NCAA Tournament History
- In their 30th NCAA Tournament, the Terps are now 44-29 all-time record in the event. The Terps have now reached the Sweet Sixteen 14 times, the Elite Eight four times, the Final Four twice, and won the NCAA National Championship title in 2002.
- This year's NCAA Tournament bid marks Maryland's sixth appearance in the last seven applicable years. It would be the seventh appearance in eight years if the 2020 tournament had not been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Double-Figure Update
- Young (12) recorded double figures points for the 31st time this season and the 20th time in the last 21 games. This marked the 106th time in his career that he has tallied double figures.
- Reese (14) reached double figures for the 22nd time this season and the 29th time in his career. It's the 13th time in the last 14 games for Reese to score in double figures.
Fear the Jahmir
- With 12 points and three rebounds, Young now has 1,974 points, 619 rebounds and 366 assists in 120 career games. He is one of 10 active players nationally to have 1,900 career points, 600 rebounds and 350 assists.
- With 553 points this season, Young finished 30th in single-season scoring passing Drew Nicholas (552 in 2002-03).
Donta In The Record Books
- Scott stands No. 28 on the all-time scoring list as he now has 1,320. Next on the list at No. 27 is Tony Massenberg with 1,354 points from 1985-90.
- Scott is now tied for 15th all-time in career rebounds with 704 with Johnny Rhodes who had 704 from 1992-96.
