COLLEGE PARK, Md — Maryland fans crowded the Xfinity Center getting to see the Terps one more time on their home court this season. While most Maryland fans will get to return to see the next edition of Maryland men’s basketball, Saturday afternoon’s contest against Northwestern was the last time Julian Reese would don the Maryland uniform on the court he spent four years dominating.
As the shot clock hit zero and the win already guaranteed, Reese exited the court and straight into head coach Kevin Willard’s arms absorbing the moment of immense cheers from the Terps faithful. His final game in front of Maryland’s home crowd was complete.
Reese gave Terps fans one more lasting memory leading No. 13 Maryland to a 74-61 victory over Northwestern, breaking the Wildcats’ three game winning streak against the Terps. It’s the Terps first double digit win over Northwestern since 2020.
“Just really grateful that the fans came out to see me,” said Reese. “A lot of people had my number on and it’s just great that I can have that impact on people’s life and just like them showing love like that I’m just really grateful.”
Reese finished the game with 19 points and 11 rebounds recording his 36th career double-double to go along with two blocks. The senior forward’s impact was felt throughout the game, but his presence in the first half was key to Maryland’s victory.
“I was just happy that he was able to get the ovation that he got,” said Willard. “And I was really happy that he played the way he played because if he didn’t play as physical as he played we would’ve struggled to win this game.”
Maryland’s offense sputtered to start the game scoring a total of 12 points through the first ten minutes of the game. The Terps turned the ball over seven times and never found an offensive rhythm. Despite the struggles, Reese was able to keep Maryland within striking distance scoring seven of his 11 first half points during that stretch.
The final ten minutes of the half resembled the Maryland offense that stands as the conference’s best scoring team. The Terps scored 20 points in the final ten minutes going into halftime with a three point lead over the Wildcats.
Maryland (24-7, 14-6 Big Ten) finished the half shooting 44 percent from the floor getting all its scoring from its starting lineup. Northwestern (16-15, 7-13 Big Ten) finished the half shooting under 36 percent from the floor and struggled to find offensive production without Maryland turnovers — the Terps finished the half with 11 that resulted in ten Wildcat points. The Wildcats’ offense was led by junior Nick Martinelli who finished as the half’s leading scorer with 16 points on five-of-ten shooting.
“He’s a warrior man,” said Northwestern head coach Chris Collins. “I love that he’s on my team and I just wish we could have helped him a little bit more.”
Maryland’s defense limited Martinelli’s impact in the second half, holding Northwestern’s leading scorer to 12 points, shooting 33 percent from the floor. The rest of the Wildcats offense couldn’t make up for the lack of production, adding 20 points to their total shooting under 40 percent from the floor.
Northwestern finished the game shooting 36 percent from the floor, 21 percent from 3-point range, and 85 percent from the free throw line suffering from a lack of scoring due to injuries to senior Brook Barnhizer (scored 20 points in the last matchup against Maryland) and Jalen Leach.
The Terps offense returned to form and continued its production from the final ten minutes of the first half.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the way with 13 second half points making all but one of his 3-point attempts. All five members of Maryland’s starting five finished the game with double figure points — the seventh time this season — and they even received some bench contributions from senior honorees Jay Young and Jordan Geronimo.
Maryland only turned the ball over seven times in the second half limiting the amount of easy baskets for the Wildcats. The Terps also outrebounded the Wildcats, 45-23.
The Terps win guaranteed themselves a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament and with a loss by No. 17 Michigan tomorrow, Maryland could be as high as the second seed in the tournament. Either way, the Terps will have their highest seeding in a Big Ten Tournament under head coach Kevin Willard and its highest seeding since the 2019-2020 season.
Maryland will have a long six day lay-off before they take the court in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Tournament.
