COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Terps earned a hard-fought 64-60 win over Washington in a Big Ten bout at XFINITY Center. The back-and-forth clash featured 13 lead changes, and the Terps dealt the final blow as Maryland improved to 11-16 (4-12 Big Ten) on the season. Andre Mills played hero, scoring 10 of the Terps' last 13 points and putting Maryland ahead with 52 seconds to play as the Terps won their first-ever meeting against Washington in College Park.
Mills kept his impressive February rolling with 21 points and five assists to mark his sixth double-digit performance in his last seven games. Hot off his career-high 39-point game against Northwestern, Mills dished a career-high five assists against the Huskies.
Solomon Washington posted his third straight double-double on Saturday with 11 points and 14 boards. His eighth-career double-double anchored Maryland's efforts during his 31 minutes on the court. Washington recorded his 10th game this season with double-digit rebounds. His career-high 14 boards led all players as Maryland outgained the Huskies 36-23 on the glass.
Elijah Saunders welcomed the over 100 Maryland alumni and former staffers back to XFINITY Center with a 12-point performance that featured four three-pointers.
Guillermo Del Pino made a massive impact in his career-high 27 minutes. He hit a pair of three pointers for his first Big Ten points and sent the win-sealing lob up to Mills, who threw an emphatic dunk down as the game ended.
How it Happened:
1st Half:
- Adams created a physical three-point play to get the Terps on the board.
- The Huskies jumped out to an 11-3 lead.
- Mills got on the board with a jumper.
- Saunders nailed a three to make it a 13-10 game eight minutes in.
- Maryland used a 9-0 run to claim a 14-13 lead.
- Guillermo Del Pino hit a deep three to put his Terps up 17-15.
- Isaiah Watts crushed a three as Maryland reached 20 points halfway through the half.
- Mills hit his second three to get to nine points with less than seven minutes to play.
- A Washington layup put the Terps up 29-26 with 4:58 left in the half.
- Del Pino's second three of the day built a 32-28 lead.
- Maryland took a 34-32 lead into the break.
2nd Half:
- Collin Metcalf got the scoring started with a layup.
- The Huskies took the lead with a pair of free throws.
- Saunders put the Terps back in front with his second three-pointer of the day.
- Saunders gave Maryland a 43-40 advantage with a pair of free throws in the first five minutes of the half.
- Washington clinched his double-double eight minutes into the half.
- The Huskies took a 49-47 lead with the game's 10th lead change midday through the half.
- Mills reached double figures with a layup to tie the game at 49-49.
- Saunders' fourth three of the night put Maryland up 57-56 with 3:32 to play.
- Mills beat the buzzer with a three-pointer as the Terps went up 60-58 with 1:45 to play.
- Mills hit a pair of free throws as Maryland took a 62-60 lead with 51 seconds left.
- Mills threw a dunk down in the final seconds to close the 64-60 win.
Double-Digit Days:
- Mills (21 points) posted his sixth double-digit performance of his past seven games and his 15th of his freshman season while scoring 20+ for the third time in his career.
- Saunders (12 points) earned his 11th double-figure game of the season and the 30th of his career.
- Washington (11 points) scored in double figures for the 12th time this season and the 29th time in his career. He's posted 11 points and 14 boards in each of his last three games.
Mills' Mania:
- Mills has broken onto the collegiate scene over the past month, logging six double-digit performances in his past seven games.
- Mills is averaging 19.1 points across his last seven games.
- He scored 10 of Maryland's last 13 points in the win.
- Mills is 24-of-51 from three-pointers over his last 10 games for a shooitng percentage of 47%.
Alumni Day At Maryland
- More than 100 former Maryland basketball players, staff and families returned for Saturday's game. Among the players in attendance included: Jeff Baxter, Jerry Bechtle, Bob Bodell, Vince Broadnax, Wayne Bristol, Nik Caner-Medley, Gini Chukura, Andre Collins, Chuck Driesell, Rodney Elliott, Len Elmore, John Gilchrist, James Gidt III, Eric Hayes, Darien Henry, Mo Howard, Ekene Ibekwe, Mike Jones, Matt Kovarik, Cedric Lewis, Derrick Lewis, Mario Lucas, Mike Mardesich, Tony Massenberg, Jason McAlpin, Tom McMillen, Reese Mona, Sean Mosley, Ben Murphy, Dave Neal, Drew Nicholas, Jim O'Brien, Rich Porac, Varun Ram, Matt Raydo, Johnny Rhodes, Matt Roe, Steve Sheppard, Joe Smith, Terrell Stokes, Travis Valmon, Herman Veal, Brian Watkins, Chris Wilcox, Buck Williams, Gary Williams, Walt Williams, Jordan Williams, Ed Woods and Tom Worstell.
- The 2001 Final Four team, the first to reach the NCAA Semifinals in Maryland history, was also honored during the game. The team coached by Hall of Famer Gary Williams was welcomed back, including team members: Mike Mardesich, Drew Nicholas and Chris Wilcox.
Buzz Williams' Breakdown:
- "The one thing that correlates on both sides of the ball is our rebounding percentage."
- "I thought our guys were excellent in executing on rebounds."
- "Every possession is so monumental."
- "If we play with a low turnover rate, it allows us to shoot more balls, which we need to do."
- "I thought Del Pino was our MVP. For him to step in and play 27 minutes was monumental."
- "Tonight was our highest basket-assist rate of the year."
- "We've improved over 200 spots in February in protecting the rim."
- "I'm thankful for all our guys and their hearts of having resilience in all we've battled through this season."
- "It's about who can execute the plan and give us the best chance to win."
Amazing Mills:
- "The game plan was to attack them on the rim as much as possible."
- "I've been working on my reads"
- "Solo's one of the most athletic players in this league. His energy is like no other."
- "Del Pino helped us move the ball really well. His presence really helped us today."
- "Don't think. Just make it."
- "I just want to make the plays we need to win."
Solomon's Sweet Saturday:
- "I just play to my strengths. I'm way more comfortable getting to the rim."
- "Our basket-assist rate is way better. We're excited for our teammates to score the ball more."
- "I've always seen greatness in Mills. I've always known what he's capable of. This is who he is."
Numbers to Know:
- 1: Maryland evened the all-time series with Washington at 1-1.
- 3: Washington has posted three straight double-doubles with 11 points and 14 rebounds in each.
- 3: Maryland held Hannes Steinbach, the Big Ten's leading rebounder, to three on Saturday.
- 5: Mills' five assists tied his career high.
- 6: Guillermo Del Pino scored six points, his first points in a game since scoring a career-high 10 against Alabama on Nov. 26. He played a career-high 27 minutes on Saturday.
- 10: Maryland knocked down 10 three-pointers in the win.
- 14: Washington's 14 rebounds tied his career high.
- 20: Mills posted his third 20+ point performance of the season.
- 36: The Terps dominated the glass with 36 boards to UW's 23.
- 64: David Coit's 64 three-pointers this season are tied for the 15th-most in a single season in Maryland history.
- 100: The Terps had over 100 former players, staffers, and family members in attendance on Saturday.
- 227: Maryland's 227 three-pointers this season rank 10th in a single season in program history.
Up Next:
- Maryland takes to the road to face No. 9 Nebraska on Feb. 25. Tipoff is slated for 7 PM and the game will air on BTN.
