CHICAGO - Donta Scott scored 20 points to lead No. 6 seed Maryland to a 70-54 victory over No. 14 Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament Second Round on Thursday night at the United Center. With the win, the Terps (21-11 overall) advance to play No. 3 seed and 19th-ranked Indiana on Friday night at approximately 9 p.m. The Terps won the only meeting between the teams, 66-55, on Jan. 31 in College Park.
Scott, who scored just one point in the Terps' last game at Penn State, knocked down 4-of-8 on three-pointers, and made 6-of-13 overall. His 16 first-half points were over half of the Terps' scoring in the first 20 minutes of action. He also grabbed eight rebounds.
Jahmir Young scored 15 points for his 17th game in the last 18 with double-figures.
Julian Reese also scored 10 points.
As a team, Maryland knocked down 8-of-21 three-pointers with Scott leading the way.
Don Carey added three triples, totaling 11 points for his fifth game in a row scoring in double figures.
The Terps beat the Golden Gophers three times this season, marking the first time Maryland has beaten a team three times in a season since defeating Wake Forest three times in the 2012-13 season.
Minnesota (9-23) was led by Pharrel Payne, who had 17 points and nine rebounds.
Willard's Takes
We just wanted to stay home on Garcia and Battle. I thought over the last three games they've been really finding each other, playing well off each other...It was more or less just stay at home and not get in scramble situations and just make them score over us."
"I think the last couple days I've just -- we've had a lot of fun in practice. We watched film for a little bit on Penn State, and then we had two good days where I kind of -- we just have fun in practice. I just wanted these guys to be a little bit loose coming into this week, going into next week. I wanted them to enjoy it. I didn't want them -- I can handle the pressure. I want them to enjoy this moment. We have four or five guys that are never going to play college basketball again. I want them to be able to sit back and realize this a lot of fun this time of year. This is what you work for."
From The Guys
"My teammates really found me early on, and they all had faith in my shot, just like Coach had faith in my shot," Scott said of his big night. Even though it wasn't falling, they told me to keep shooting, and I felt like I got hot early on, and they just found a way to find me, and I kept giving them assists."
"Really just excited to be here, ready to play and ready to compete with the guys that I've been playing with all year. It was just an exciting moment," Young said of his Big Ten tournament debut.
"We pride ourselves on defense," Scott said. "It's all about defense. Defense wins games. We really get after each other when we have practice, and we take that mindset into the game. And we know once we lock in defense, there's not really much you can do to really disrupt our connection on that defensive end, because then we know our offense is going to flow once our defense starts flowing."
Breaking Down The Action
- The Terps used an 8-0 run early thanks to five quick points from Donta Scott and a triple from Hakim Hart taking an 8-2 lead at the 15:44 mark.
- After Minnesota came back to briefly retake the lead, Jahari Long and Ian Martinez provided a spark off the bench with back-to-back lay-ups putting the Terps back up 15-12 at the 10:33 mark.
- Scott carried the offense in the first half with a barrage of three pointers as he tied his season high with four to lead the Terps with 16 points at the intermission. Maryland was up 31-24 at halftime as seven different Terps scored in the first 20 minutes.
- The Terps scored 10 of the first 12 points in the second half as they opened up a 38-24 lead. On three consecutive possessions, Carey canned a three-pointer, made a sweet dish for a Patrick Emilien dunk and then knocked down another triple.
- Maryland reeled off seven points in a row to take a 56-41 lead with 7:17 left in the game.
Three-Game Sweep
- Maryland beat Minnesota three times this season, beating them 81-46 on Feb. 4 in Minneapolis, 88-70 on Feb. 23 in College Park and tonight in Chicago.
- The Terps won three games against a team in the same season for the first time since beating Wake Forest three times in 2012-13 season. That season, Maryland beat the Demon Deacons 86-60 on Feb. 2, 2013, 67-57 at Wake Forest on March 2, 2013 and 75-62 in the ACC Tournament on March 14, 2013.
Big Ten Tournament History
- Since joining the conference in 2014-15, the Terps are now 4-7 all-time in Big Ten Tournament games with this victory.
- The Terps are now 2-2 in the second round, 2-2 in quarterfinals, and 0-2 in the semifinals. The Terps reached the semifinals in both 2015 and 2016.
- This is the first time Maryland is a No. 6 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
Neutral Court Success
- The Terps are now 3-1 on neutral courts this season. The Terps defeated Saint Louis (95-67) and Miami (88-70) (currently ranked 16th nationally) at the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena and fell by three against then-No. 7 Tennessee at Barclays Arena in the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational.
Double-Figure Update
- Donta Scott (20) posted double-figure scoring for the 18th time this season and the 63rd time of his career. It was also his third 20-point game of the season.
- Jahmir Young (15) recorded double figures points for the 28th time this season and the 17th time in the last 18 games. This marked the 103rd time in his career that he has tallied double figures.
- Don Carey (11) hit double figures for the 14th time this season and the 79th time in his career. He's hit double figures in each of the last five games.
- Julian Reese (10) notched double figures for the 20th time this season and 27th of his career. He has scored 10-plus in 15 of his last 17 games.
Fear the Jahmir
- With 15 points, Young now has 1,940 points, 611 rebounds and 361 assists in 117 career games. He is one of 10 active players nationally to have 1,900 career points, 600 rebounds and 350 assists.
- With 519 points this season, Young is now 40th on the single-season scoring chart for the Terps. Next at 39th is Terence Morris, who had 521 in 1998-99.
Donta In The Record Books
- Scott moved to No. 30 on the all-time scoring lists with 1,296 as he passed National Player of the Year Joe Smith (1,290 points from 1993-95). Next on the list with 1,300 is Jay McMillen, who did it from 1964-67.
- Scott moved up to No. 16 all-time in career rebounds with 684, also passing Joe Smith (683, 1993-95). Next at No. 15 with 689 was Will Hetzel in 1967-70.
Notes & News
- Maryland improved to 12-1 on the season when Donta Scott and Jahmir Young have combined for 30 points.
- This was the 14th time this season the Terps held an opponent to less than 60 points. The Terps are 12-2 when they hold foes to less than 60.
- Maryland has now won 10 games in a row vs. Minnesota.
Up Next
- The Terps will take on third-seed Indiana on Friday night at 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT) in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Championship. The game will be televised on BTN, while fans can listen on the Maryland Sports Radio Network. Maryland beat the Hoosiers, 66-55, on Jan. 31, in College Park.
