Maryland men’s basketball uses a late second-half run to stave off Mount St. Mary’s upset bid

Photo Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.

This twelvemonth, information technology seems like good things happen when the ball is in Eric Ayala'south hands. Later on leading the team in scoring for two straight games, the junior guard has cemented his office on the team moving forward. Equally the top scorer, it'south up to him to set the tone on the offensive side of the ball and provide a healthy serving of points. Ayala played this role masterfully and Maryland (iii-0) ultimately benefited every bit the Terps used a 21-0 run in the last 9 minutes of the second half en road to a 79-61 victory.

Ayala, along with the residue of Terps, endured a characteristic slow start in the first fifteen minutes of the game. And Mount St. Mary's enjoyed a comfortable lead for the majority of the menstruation, shooting over 50% from 3. However, as fate would have it, the momentum of the game shifted in the Terps favor. Ayala spearheaded the comeback endeavour, which allowed the Terps to proceeds their first lead of the game. Every bit he had all season thus far, Ayala establish his spots from within the arc and scored a pair from the charity stripe to give Maryland a considerable lead to end the one-half.

The uninspired basketball that Maryland opened the game with was nothing new, information technology was the hiccups in crunch time that allowed the Mountain to take control in what should've been a regular season tune-up match.

"I welcome a game like that," head coach Mark Turgeon said, "Nosotros were behind in the second half and had to gut it out … which was great to see our guys did it."

The first eight minutes of the game featured a iii bespeak barrage led by shooting guard Jalen Gibbs of the Mountaineers. The ix-betoken deficit that came from the offensive efforts of Gibbs prompted an every bit convincing attempt by Maryland to earn their first lead. Following a pair of threes by Hakeem Hart and a complementary triple from Jairus Hamilton, Ayala tallied the concluding ten points of the one-half. He finished the game totaling 15 points. Leading 41-32 entering the 2d period, the Terps were looking to maintain momentum to close things out.

Instead, they barbarous victim to an efficient, overwhelming shooting display by the Mountaineers. Only this time, information technology was a more balanced scoring effort that immune the Mount to tie the game up at 58. Baby-sit Damian Chong Qui picked up where Gibbs left off as he carried the offensive load and scored seven of his 9 points in the 2d half. Later his smooth stepback three that evened up the score, things were looking different for both Maryland and The Mount.

A combined fifteen points by Chong Qui and forward Malik Jefferson in the first 10 minutes of the final half gave Mount St Mary's an opening to play spoiler. However, this opening proved to be brief. With nine minutes left to play, Jefferson scored the last meaningful points for the Mountaineers as the Terps orchestrated a seven-infinitesimal, 21-0 run headed past a Donta Scott and Jairus Hamilton frontcourt duo. Scott and Hamilton ended the game with a combined total of 30 points and 10 boards. The frontcourt tandem, along with Darryl Morsell and Ayala each scored during the run and ended the game with double digits.

"Information technology'due south not a lineup we've practiced with a lot," Turgeon said. "But it'due south gonna be a lineup we probably play more every bit the flavor goes on."

Although information technology was not the preferred level of play confronting a non-conference opponent, the Terps left with a victory, their third win, and a amend understanding of what works and what doesn't regarding their lineup. Up next, Maryland looks to continue their early on season success against Towson on Dec 1st.

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Source: http://wmucsports.net/maryland-mens-basketball-uses-a-late-second-half-run-to-stave-off-mount-st-marys-upset-bid/

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