Indiana pushed the ball down the court searching for its first lead since early in the first half. Xavier Johnson flew to the hoop and rolled the ball toward the net with his right hand. Johnson’s layup rolled off the rim but right into the hand of Trey Galloway who scored the putback bucket.
Galloway’s putback provided the spark that Indiana (16-13, 8-10 Big Ten) needed, overcoming a 10-point halftime deficit, coming from behind to beat the Maryland Terrapins (15-15, 7-12 Big Ten), 83-78, Sunday afternoon.
Indiana scored 50 points in the second half which is the most the Maryland defense has given up in a half this season. Mackenzie Mgbako led the comeback, scoring 18 of his team high 24 points in the second half.
“It was transition,” said head coach Kevin Willard. “I mean, we lost him in transition three times, even in the first half two of their threes were in transition.”
Indiana had 20 points on the fastbreak in the game.
“They really pushed the pace on us and it was kind of tough because they weren’t really doing anything in the halfcourt, but they were really attacking us in transition,” said Willard.
Maryland’s offense continued to play well, but in the middle of the half the Terps went through a scoring drought that Indiana took advantage of. The Terps shot 45% from the floor in the second half scoring 35 points. Maryland had 16 points in the paint in the second half after scoring 20 in the first.
The Terps did make a comeback effort going on a 6-0 scoring run with less than two minutes to play, but the attempt at victory fell short.
The Indiana win put a damper on Maryland’s senior day activities, especially considering how the team started the game.
Maryland honored Donta Scott, Jahmir Young, Jahari Long, and Jordan Geronimo for their contributions to the Maryland program with a small ceremony before the game.
“Some guys first time, some guys second, you know, I’m no newcomer to senior night, did it last year, but for some of the new guys I feel like it was a special moment for them. It’s a milestone in your life that you don’t ever get too many times,” said Scott
Each has played a pivotal role this season.
Scott and Young have been anchors in the starting lineup averaging double figure points this season. Geronimo has seen his role change and evolve throughout the season, but he’s been a key piece in bringing energy and hustle to the court. Long has been key off the bench this season averaging a little over four points per game accumulating 39 assists leading the second unit.
“Just looking up and seeing, you know, so many of my friends and family in the stands it was cool to see that,” said Young, who led the Terps in points with 22.
The seniors led the way in the first half getting off to a scorching hot start from the floor. The Terps shot over 50% from the floor in the first half getting double digit performances from Young, Scott, and junior Julian Reese.
Indiana’s offense shot well in the first half keeping the game tight despite the Maryland effort. The Hoosiers shot 41% from the floor, making five three-pointers, tying their average made three-pointers per game.
The big difference in the first half came from the turnover battle. The Terps scored 10 points off of nine Indiana turnovers and the Hoosiers only scored two points off three Maryland turnovers. Maryland lost the turnover battle in the second half, seven to five, scoring just four points off those five turnovers.
Maryland will end its regular season slate with a rematch against Penn State in University Park on Sunday.
