The 24th ranked Maryland Terrapins (6-1) faced their biggest test early in the season with fourth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers (7-0). A 4-4 tiebreaker in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and undefeated streak for both teams was on the line.
Once the game got underway, Maryland basketball turned the ball over twice to start which gave the Cavaliers an early lead.
For the most part, the Terps were able to keep up with the Cavaliers scoring but there was one problem, the Cavaliers were draining three-point shots while Maryland basketball was struggling.
The Cavaliers ball movement in the half court allowed them to get open shots from behind the three-point line and they were able to jump out to a nine-point lead, 39-30 going into halftime.
Kyle Guy led the charge for the Cavaliers with 15 points on 4-7 shooting from the three-point line. Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter combined for 17 points and 5 rebounds.
Bruno Fernando recorded 10 points and seven rebounds, Eric Ayala had six points and three rebounds.
The Cavaliers shot 8-16 in total from behind the three-point line in the first half. The Terps held the advantage in points in the paint 26-12.
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Coming out of halftime, the Cavaliers defense stifled any attempt for Maryland to score and they went on an 8-1 run with 16:29 left to go in the game.
Two threes from Aaron Wiggins and Ayala cut Virginia’s lead to 11, 48-37.
The Terps were down 10, 59-49 with 7:15 to go in the game and defense was going to be a deciding factor for both teams.
Three straight made baskets on three possessions by the Terps cut the Cavaliers lead to four before a three-ball by Jerome gave them a 66-59 lead.
The Terps were showing a fight late as the game went down to the final two minutes. The Cavaliers held on to win 76-71 and are still undefeated moving to 7-0 on the season.
Maryland basketball, now 6-1 gave Virginia a fight to the finish and their resiliency in the loss should bode well for them in other tough games as the season progresses.
Bruno Fernando was still able to get the production that is regularly seen out of him. The Terps freshmen still were a factor in this game and they now have big game experience. Guy led all scorers with 18 points while Anthony Cowan Jr finished with 15 points and four assists. Fernando finished with a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds).
The Terps will now face the Penn State Nittany Lions (4-2), Saturday, Dec 1 at 5 pm ET on the Big Ten Network.