Maryland basketball (16-4, 6-3 Big Ten) survived a second-half surge by the Indiana Hoosiers. When the game was in doubt, defense prevailed in Bloomington.
Maryland basketball needed to play hard in Assembly Hall if they were going to beat the Indiana Hoosiers (15-5, 5-4 Big Ten) who handed Michigan State their second loss in Big Ten play a few days prior.
Jalen Smith led the way for the Terps in their 75-59 victory in College Park with 19 points and eight rebounds. Three other starters scored in double figures.
Indiana’s Devonte Green was the only Hoosier to score in double figures with 18 points.
Indiana looked to even the series between these two teams. The Terps had to contend with a loud and raucous crowd that made its presence felt in the Hoosiers win over Michigan State. The Terps ignored the noise.
The three-point shot was going up and coming down for both teams early on. Both teams combined for six made threes before the first miss.
The Terps went into the first TV timeout up three 14-11 after an easy dunk for Smith. Indiana’s Justin Smith converted on a scoring opportunity of his own.
This game was fun to watch as the threes were falling and both teams did a good job of moving the basketball.
Maryland basketball had a 24-14 lead after a steal by Anthony Cowan Jr. led to a fast-break layup. On the possession prior, Smith made another three. His third make in as many attempts.
After threes by Donta Scott and Darryl Morsell hit the bottom of the net, the Terps led by 14, 38-24, and were 9-of-14 from out there. They were on an 8-0 run as a result.
At the 4:19 mark in the first half, Jalen Smith led all scorers with 13 points and four rebounds. The Terps defense was stout as it held Joey Brunk, Justin Smith, and Trayce Jackson-Davis under five points.
The Hoosiers went into halftime down nine points, 45-36. They did a solid job of working the ball inside to chip away.
Threes made in the game for both teams was the story of the first half but the Terps ball control was the best it’s been all season. They only had three turnovers.
Cowan Jr. and Smith had 23 of the Terps 45 points and the question was could the Terps keep this up? They would need to adjust quickly if the three-point shot was not falling in the second half. They showed poise and focus in the first half. On the road, that is very important.
Rob Phinisee and Jerome Hunter led the Hoosiers with six points apiece while Brunk was scoreless.
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Coming out of halftime, a 12-2 run by the Hoosiers put them in position to tie the game or take the lead. The Terps led 45–43 with 17:57 to go.
Brunk gave the Hoosiers their first lead of the game after a seamless sequence of ball movement led to a basket in the post. The Assembly Hall crowd erupted after that occurred.
The Hoosiers grabbed their biggest lead of the game of eight points after Jackson-Davis hit a three and Hunter made a jumper in the paint. The Terps were losing momentum and needed to regroup. They were down 60-52.
Under 12, it was important that the Terps got the ball inside and converted on their opportunities.
They found themselves down eight, 67-59, after back-to-back connections between Jackson-Davis and De’Ron Davis led to baskets inside and Green hit a three.
The Terps fought their way back to get within six points,73-67, but under three minutes left in the game was still in doubt.
A Cowan Jr. three-ball cut the Hoosiers lead to 74-70 and the game clock was ticking down. With 14.5 seconds to go, the Terps got the ball inside to Smith for a scoop, score and the lead, 77-76.
Maryland survived on a defensive stop at the rim and the Terps have won three in a row. They have won six of their last eight games.
Jalen Smith finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Cowan Jr. and Morsell had a combined 28 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Jackson-Davis had 13 points and eight rebounds. His last shot to seal the victory for the Hoosiers was well contested by Maryland basketball. Up next, the Terps play Iowa at home on Thursday. The Hoosiers go on the road Wednesday to play Penn State.