Coming into this game, Maryland basketball Head Coach Mark Turgeon had reached the NCAA Tournament four times in the last five years. The Terrapins got a big win thanks to their defense.
To start this first round matchup, both teams came out aggressive early and had identical shot selections as Belmont basketball missed their first five shots and then made their next three to take a small lead.
Maryland did the same under 16 after a Daryll Morsell layup gave them a 9-8 lead. Both teams struggled from behind the three-point line early. They were a combined 1-of-9.
Kevin McClain scored 12 of the Bruins 22 points heading into a timeout called by the Terps.
Belmont basketball went on a 10-0 run before Eric Ayala, and Bruno Fernando scored to get the Terps within 11, 28-19 with 7:39 to go.
At this point in the game, Dylan Windler had eight points and six rebounds while Fernando and Jalen Smith had five points.
The Bruins also did a great job early of defending Fernando via the double team.
Anthony Cowan Jr. struggled in the first half shooting 1-of-7 from the field but the Terps went on a 9-0 run to keep the game within five points. The run began after Smith made a layup and it included an Aaron Wiggins corner three-ball.
Belmont went into halftime up six, 40-34. Windler led all scorers with 15 points shooting 4-of-7 from three and eight rebounds. McClain finished with 12 points.
Maryland basketball had to get Cowan Jr. going because he only made one shot in the half. He had two points and four assists at halftime.
Smith led the Terps with nine points and seven rebounds and Fernando wasn’t far behind with 10 rebounds, seven points, and two blocks.
McClain had to sit on the bench for a few minutes to start the second half after getting into a back-and-forth discussion with Belmont Head Coach Rick Byrd.
The Terps scored two quick baskets to take the lead 41-40 and this was a game now. Defensively, they turned it up a notch and led by four, 44-40.
Belmont missed its last 10 shots before Windler hit a step back three-pointer.
Cowan Jr. drove the lane and drew a fourth foul on Grayson Murphy and converted the and one opportunity giving the Terps a 56-51 lead.
With a little over 10 minutes to go, the Bruins took the lead briefly, 57-56, after a Seth Adelsperger putback dunk. With 9:25 left in the game, it was up for grabs.
Fernando had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Terps at this point, but Windler had 24 points and nine rebounds.
The final eight minutes of this game were significant for both teams. Belmont basketball had the lead 64-58.
Windler came back into the game after receiving treatment from a back injury to give the Bruins a 67-61 lead and the Terps needed good things to happen in order to stay alive.
A Smith score and Morsell three-pointer gave Maryland some life as the Bruins were surging. A big block by Fernando was the start of solid defensive plays that led to this nailbiter of a win.
Cowan Jr. hit a three to tie the game at 71 apiece with 3:42 to go and he shot poorly for much of the game. He was 3-of-16 shooting from the field at this point.
The Bruins were 6-0 in games decided by six points or less. The Terps were looking to change that. Smith put Windler on a poster with a two-handed slam following a scramble for the basketball. The Terps led by four, 77-73, with a minute and change left in the game.
A late steal and a made free throw by Morsell sealed the 79-77 victory for Maryland basketball in a game that went back and forth throughout the second half.
Windler finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. McClain had 19 points and six rebounds.
Four Maryland starters hit double figures in points scored. Smith had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Fernando finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
The Terps now move on to face the No.3 seed LSU Tigers Sunday.