Impressive First Half Performance Leads Terps to Ninth Win of the Season Over NC Central

By Sebastian Obando

Guard Jared Nickens received a pass from freshman Melo Trimble at the top of the arc near the North Carolina Central bench. He turned and laid the ball off to oncoming teammate Jake Layman, who quickly rose and got off a three point attempt before any Eagles’ defender could contest the shot. The ball swished through the net and extended the Terp lead to seven with a little over half of the first period played. The shot sparked the Maryland offense and triggered a 23-6 run into intermission. The superb first half play was ultimately enough to hold off the visitors, as the Terps cruised to a 67-56 victory at Xfinity Center.

“We were terrific on that [run to close the first half]. We got our defense going, we started making shots to space the floor. We were really good,” Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon said. “To be up 21 on this team at half is an amazing feat.”

The lead was due in large part to the Terps excellent shooting in the first half. The team shot a 63.6 field goal percentage and was 5-8 from beyond the arc. Although the efficiency decreased in the second half, the opening twenty minutes served as a testament to the great shooting ability the Terps possess this season.

“I think we played our best basketball when we got up by twenty in the first half,” Layman said after the game. “Our offense was running smoothly and we hit some tough shots.”

Richaud Pack led the Terps with 17 points on the night. (Courtesy of UMTerps.com)

Along with his 15 points, Layman also contributed with four assists and three rebounds. Richaud Pack, the team’s high scorer, finished the night with 17 points and five rebounds. Trimble posted 12 points and four assists and was an instrumental figure throughout the stellar first half play. Furthermore, four other Terps also reached at least five points.

“We have good shooters, we have good passers. We’re getting better. The guys are a very coachable group,” Turgeon said. “This team is a lot of fun to watch”

The victory improves Maryland’s record to 9-1 on the year, a step in the right direction as the team gets ready to welcome USC Upstate on Saturday.