Story By: Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Seattle, WA–
This game might have started a little bit slow for the Terps, but it most certainly did not end that way as they went on a tear after the first 10 minutes of the game and sent the Antelopes packing with an 81-49 victory.
The last time the Lopes were even close in the game was at 15-10, but then the Terps went on a 18-1 run that had Lopes Head Coach Bryce Drew scratching his head as everything he tried went answered by the Terps bucket after bucket all the way to the half.
Senior forward Julian Reese got things done as he had on many occasions for Maryland with 18 points to go with nine rebounds while freshman center Derik Queen put together a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds. As a team, the Terrapins made 50.8 percent of their attempts from the field while their suffocating defense held the Lopes to just a 28.6 field goal percentage.
“Really proud of the way my team has played this year, said Terps Head Coach Kevin Willard. Battling through some really tough losses, especially the four buzzer beaters this year, to bounce back and put us in a great position and to get a four seed. So obviously going to play a very, very good basketball team tomorrow, but looking forward to being here.”
Maryland’s 32-point blowout of Grand Canyon was the Terps’ largest win ever in an NCAA Tournament contest.
After the game tonight, Willard also addressed the rumors going around surrounding whether he was the reason that Terps AD Damon Evans took the job at SMU and whether Willard would be staying if he didn’t get some of what this program needs to succeed going forward.
“You guys are just going to put whatever you want to write on Twitter, but I think I have been pretty honest about my commitment to Maryland and what is needed for this program to go forward. I need those things as part of my contract, otherwise they will just lie to you about getting those things.
Maryland moves on to play a tough Colorado State team that knocked off Memphis earlier in the day. This could be the best-case scenario for the Terps to move on to the Sweet 16 with how strong the entire team is playing.
See everyone Sunday.
