Maryland Basketball struggled early against a Rhode Island Rams team that matched their playing style. The Terps recovered and took control of this contest.
Maryland Basketball came into this matchup with the Atlantic 10 Conference’s Rhode Island Rams looking to increase the momentum they gathered from their 95-71 victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders.
The Terps defense served them well as their switching and ball pressure in zone defense allowed them to create turnovers and get fast-break opportunities.
The Rams came out strong to start this game and jumped out to a 10-4 lead at the 16:11 mark. They weren’t afraid of the seventh-ranked Terps and put pressure on them defensively. The Terps turned the ball over 11 times at the under 10-minute mark and were down 21-12.
Rams forward Jermaine Harris produced well early scoring six points and securing three rebounds. Three-point shooting worked for the Rams as they shot 3-of-4 (75 percent) from out there under eight minutes to go in the half.
Two solid defensive plays allowed Maryland basketball to cut the Rams lead to six, 26-20. That end of the floor was going to be key in helping them get back into this game.
An Eric Ayala three-pointer and dribble-drive in transition cut the lead to one, 28-27. The Terps started to look like themselves at this point in the game.
They did start out slow shooting the ball against Holy Cross and caught fire in the second half.
Donta Scott gave the Terps the lead 30-28 with a three-ball.
The Terps finished the half with a three-point lead, 35-32, after a Darryl Morsell dribble-drive slam and an assisted Aaron Wiggins three-pointer courtesy of Morsell.
Maryland basketball increased their shooting efficiency in the half with a 52 percent mark from the field and 50 percent from the three-point line.
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Aaron Wiggins led all scorers with nine points and four rebounds while Harris had eight points and four rebounds for the Rams.
A 15-4 run propelled the Terps to take the lead in this game. Last season, they struggled to finish strong in the first half of games. It was nice to see the sense of urgency they had in trying to take the lead.
Anthony Cowan Jr. had no points in the first half. A credit to the Rams defense.
Under 16 minutes to go, the Terps led by four, 41-37. Ayala and Jalen Smith scored the Terps points to start the second half. Cowan Jr. was still struggling to get points on the board. He was 0-of-4 shooting from the field but had four assists, two steals, and one block.
A goaltending call gave him his first points of the game and he made two free throws to increase the Terps lead to eight, 45-37. He scored the last seven points for the Terps and he found his rhythm midway through the second half.
A 9-0 run increased the Terps lead to 15, 57-42 before Harris scored to stop the onslaught. Cowan and Ayala led the game with 13 points, six rebounds and six assists at the 7:45 mark in the second half.
The Terps took control of this game late and cruised to victory once again to move to 2-0 on the season. The final score of this one was 73-55. This game for Maryland is a reminder that they can’t overlook any team.
The Rams came out and played the Terps way which caused them to have to come from behind. Once Maryland basketball got a sizeable lead, the game was sealed.
Smith finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks. Cowan Jr recovered well to finish with 14 points, five assists, and three rebounds. Wiggins finished 13 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
The Terps play the Oakland Golden Grizzlies next Saturday at noon eastern time.
The Rams will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide next Friday at 7:30 pm eastern time.