A strong second half full of highlight plays gave Maryland their first win in over three weeks.
Coming off a tough five-game losing streak, the match against Nebraska (1-13 B1G) looked like a chance to readjust and potentially dominate on the road. If Maryland played like it did against third-ranked Purdue — just one point short of an upset — at West Lafayette, Indiana, this should have been no problem.
Fatts Russell was the difference maker at Purdue just like he played as the Terps’ catalyst at Nebraska, finishing with a team-high 23 points. However, the Terps finished the job handily on Friday.
After two straight 20-point performances, Maryland’s diminutive guard, with the help of the rest of the Terps, managed to translate his third consecutive 20-point outing to a much-needed, 90-74, win over the Cornhuskers.
“Me and coach Manning have been talking a lot and he felt like I need to be more aggressive,” Russell said of his recent success. “So, that’s what I’ve been doing.”
Still nursing a wrist injury that kept him out of the Terps’ visit to Purdue, Eric Ayala did not start the game but he did come off the bench. The taped-up guard struggled in his first game back, ending with only two points in 24 minutes.
But his presence on the court was positive.
“I know he didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, or he wasn’t as aggressive as Eric Ayala is,” Russell said. “But, he did the little things today and we needed everyone.”
In lieu of the Terps’ typical scorers, an unlikely hero came out in the first half for Maryland. Julian Reese’s 13 points not only led the team at the half, but it surpassed his career-high.
The first half was competitive with seven lead changes and concluded with a Maryland two-point lead. But when the second half started, it was as if Maryland was the only team that showed up.
Near the halfway point in the half, Maryland enjoyed a 14-2 run, accompanied by a highlight windmill dunk from Ian Martinez.
“It really felt good,” said Martinez. “I haven’t really done those kinds of stuff during the season, so it definitely felt really good to get one.”
The game came to a blunt pause when, after getting tangled up with Nebraska’s Bryce McGowens, Reese took a harsh shove toward the player as the crowd erupted. The freshman forward received a technical but was not ejected.
Reese would go on to foul out of the game without scoring in the second half, leaving an abrupt end to his career night.
Against a team that specialized in stealing the ball, Maryland’s lack of turnovers also played a major factor. The Terps not only ended with just four turnovers, but they had 21 points off their own forced 12 turnovers.
“We know Nebraska leads the league in forced turnovers with how they pressure the basketball and the pace that they play at,” Coach Danny Manning said. “So, for us to take care of the ball against that type of pressure was really good for us.”
Maryland will only have a few days until its next game on Monday against Penn State.
“[There’s] not a lot of time to enjoy or celebrate the win because we’ve got a quick turnaround,” said Manning.
