SEATTLE, Wa. — As the shot rolled off the rim, Maryland jogged back to its defensive end to get set for Grand Canyon’s ensuing offensive possession. The Terps couldn’t make a shot starting the game one-for-six from the floor.
Maryland was struggling, losing by two, and in need of a stabilizing force to launch itself out of the lull. The Terps turned to their veteran leader and dynamic post threat, Julian Reese. The senior forward provided the exact performance the Terps needed.
Reese scored 12 points to go along with six rebounds in the first half propelling No. 4 seed Maryland to the round of 32 with a 81-49 victory over No. 13 seed Grand Canyon. Maryland’s win was its largest margin of victory in a NCAA Tournament victory in program history.
“Early on, there was definitely some nerves, but I knew getting the ball inside to him … it’s [the players] safety blanket too,” said head coach Kevin Willard.
Reese’s performance allowed the rest of the Terps to settle into the game. Ja’Kobi Gillespie hit his first shot after Reese scored four straight and Rodney Rice hit his first jumper after Gillespie’s 3-pointer. Maryland’s offense looked like itself from then on.
Maryland finished the half shooting over 50 percent from the floor and 44 percent from beyond the arc. The Terps did most of their damage in the paint scoring 24 of their 42 first half points within the paint. Grand Canyon struggled to defend that area of the court because starting big man Duke Brennan accumulated two fouls early in the half limiting him to just 12 minutes.
The Terps held the momentum throughout the half causing Antelope head coach Bryce Drew to burn two timeouts in the first half trying to throw a hitch into Maryland’s rhythm. The attempt was unsuccessful.
Maryland never relinquished the lead or the momentum through the rest of the game.
The Terps scored 39 points in the second half making half of their shots and connecting on three of their 3-pointers. Four of Maryland’s starters finished with double figures points.
Reese paced the team with 18 points and nine rebounds, falling a rebound short of his first March Madness double-double. Freshman Derik Queen accomplished the feat scoring 12 points to go along with 15 rebounds. Gillespie, Rice, and Selton Miguel combined for 38 points and six 3-point makes, providing the Terps with perimeter scoring.
Maryland received significant contributions from its bench especially from sophomore guard DeShawn Harris-Smith. Harris-Smith tied his season high with 11 points breaking his nine game scoreless stretch.
“He’s been steady all year,” said Willard. “He’s been a great leader. I think these guys will all say [it].
Grand Canyon struggled to find a consistent offensive performer other than graduate student Tyon Grant-Foster. The veteran big man finished the game with a game high 23 points. The rest of the team combined for 26 points on 21 percent shooting.
Maryland’s win comes amidst a week of chaos around the program.
The future status of head coach Kevin Willard is up in the air with rumors swirling that he may leave the program and Maryland’s athletic director — Damon Evans — is also rumored to be departing the program. Despite the outside turmoil, the Terps preserved to win and move on in the tournament.
“I feel like we’re kind of used to stuff like that,” said Reese. “We just stand as a family and we know what’s up with us, so we just keep doing that.”
The Terps will play again on Sunday against the No. 12 seed Colorado State that will enter the game following an upset victory over the No. 5 seed Memphis.
