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University of Maryland Athletics

Pharrel Payne versus Coppin State
61
Coppin St. Coppin 0-1,0-0 MEAC
83
Winner Maryland MD 1-0,0-0 Big Ten
Coppin St. Coppin
0-1,0-0 MEAC
61
Final
83
Maryland MD
1-0,0-0 Big Ten
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Coppin St. Coppin 32 29 61
Maryland MD 47 36 83

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Terps Open Buzz Williams Era With 83-61 Win Over Coppin State In Baltimore

Williams became the ninth coach in program history to start his Terrapin tenure with a win as Pharrel Payne dropped 21 points in his Maryland debut.

BALTIMORE, MD — Maryland opened its 12th consecutive season with a victory as the Terps downed Coppin State 83-61 on Monday as a part of Baltimore's Hall of Fame series. Five Terps scored in double-figures to give Buzz Williams his first win as the Terps' head coach. 

Pharrel Payne led his new Terps with 21 points, the highest mark by a transfer in his first game as a Terp. Darius Adams broke onto the scene with 16 points in his first collegiate action while David Coit hit a trio of three-pointers to tally 13 points in his Maryland debut. Maryland's new-look squad gelled right away, scoring 47 points in the first half — the program's highest first-half total in a season opener since the 2019-2020 season. The chemistry was evident in the Terps' only regular season test before their upcoming Gold Rush game against Georgetown on Nov. 7.

The Terps had a historic night from three-point range, hitting 10 shots — tied for their most in a season opener in program history. Andre Mills and Coit both sank three of them to lead the team on a night where the freshmen class was responsible for 29 points.
How it Happened:
First Half:
  • Adams recorded the Terps' first points of the season with a pair of free throws.
  • A Payne dunk put Maryland ahead for the first time. 
  • Mills drained the Terps' first three-pointer of the season during an early 9-0 run.
  • Both Isaiah Watts and Elijah Saunders hit their first shots from range as Maryland took control of the action.
  • Mills hit another three as Maryland captured an 18-6 lead. 
  • An 8-0 Terps run spanned over three minutes as Maryland built its lead. 
  • Another Saunders three put the Terps up 30-14.
  • Payne threw a dunk down as Maryland extended its lead to 38-25.
  • Coit hit a three-pointer with three to play in the half.
  • Maryland took a 47-32 lead into the break. 
Second Half:
  • Coppin State opened the half on a 10-3 run.
  • Watts' second three of the night put the Terps back ahead by 10.
  • Coit hit Maryland's 10th three of the night to put the Terps up 77-53.
  • An 8-0 Terps run put the game out of reach late. 
  • Maryland won its season opener 83-61.
Instant Impacts:
  • With Darius and Guillermo Del Pino starting Monday's contest, Maryland had multiple freshmen in the starting lineup of a season opener for the first time since the 2018-19 season opener against Delaware (future NBA players Jalen Smith, Aaron Wiggins).
  • Maryland freshmen combined for 29 points in Monday's win.
1,000 Point Watch
  • With 21 points on Monday, Payne moves 60 points away from 1,000 in his collegiate career.
Numbers to Know:
  • 3: Maryland improves to 3-1 all-time against Coppin State.
  • 5: The Terps had five players score 10 or more points on Monday.
  • 9: With the win, Maryland coaches are now 9-1 all-time in their debuts.  
  • 12: The Terps have won 12 straight season openers.
  • 16: Williams improved to 16-3 in his career in season openers.
  • 21: Payne's 21 points are the most by a transfer in his Maryland debut.
  • 47: Maryland only scored 47 or more points in the first half nine times last season. 
  • 77: The Terps are now 77-30 all-time in season openers.
Buzz's Breakdown:
  • "I thought there was more continuity on both sides of the ball."
  • "I thought the energy was pure. I thought our execution of what we wanted to do on the court was more apparent."
  • "We want to make more free throws than our opponent attempts."
  • "Adams has the ability to get fouled. His footwork is tremendous."
Payne's Historic Debut:
  • "I would say in general, I'm leaning on my guys. It takes the whole team to get it done. We were able to come out tonight and I was able to lean on them to have my back and I had their backs."
  • "If I'm open, give me the ball. If I'm not, work it through the rotation and let's get points however we can."
  • "We came out with the impression that we're willing to fight to compete."
Up Next:
  • The Terps return to College Park for their home opener and Gold Rush game against Georgetown on Nov. 7. The game will start at 6 PM and air on FS1.
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