Derik Queen smiled ear to ear as the public address announcer announced his name to the Xfinity Center crowd as a member of Maryland’s starting lineup. Maryland fans erupted in cheers of excitement and anticipation as he walked out onto mid-court in preparation for his collegiate debut.
Queen’s play did not disappoint.
The Baltimore native finished the first half with a double-double — 11 points and 12 rebounds — leading the Terps into halftime holding a 31-28 advantage. Queen’s first half was just the start.
Queen finished the game with 22 points and 20 rebounds helping Maryland win its 48th consecutive home opener, defeating Manhattan, 79-49, Monday night.
“I think I said it on media day. He’s one of the best freshmen, if not the best freshman in the country,” said head coach Kevin Willard. “I know a lot of people talk about other guys, but what he did tonight is what he does every day in practice so it’s not really that surprising.”
The Montverde graduate looked poised and settled to start his collegiate career. The freshman center was routinely directing his teammates and running the fastbreak while dominating around the basket.
“I’ve been playing basketball forever, so why be nervous now,” said Queen.
Queen became the first Terrapin since Jalen Smith to record a double-double in his Maryland debut.
Despite Queen’s sparkling debut, the Jaspers kept the game close through the first half.
Manhattan connected on four three-pointers in the first half, out-scoring Maryland from beyond the arc through the first 20 minutes. The Jaspers shot 37 percent from the floor and only turned the ball over five times.
That changed in the second half.
The Terps caused 12 turnovers, scored 15 points off those turnovers, and blocked six shots holding the Jaspers’ under 20 percent shooting, dominating the second half. Maryland held Manhattan to 21 points in the final 20 minutes.
The Terps defensive prowess allowed them to break the game open less than five minutes into the half.
Queen led the way scoring seven straight points to put Maryland ahead by nine. Following a score by Manhattan, the Terps answered with a 9-0 scoring run that gave them a 15-point lead with a little over 13 minutes to play.
The game was never in question after that.
The Terrapins led the rest of the game and their lead never fell under double digits.
Queen topped all scorers in the game with 22 points to go along with his team leading 20 rebounds. Belmont transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie followed behind the freshman big man, scoring 16 points of his own in his Maryland debut.
The Maryland offense finished the game shooting 44.3 percent from the floor and making five of its 23 three-point attempts. Maryland scored on 37 of its 69 offensive possessions.
It was a promising start for a new look Terrapin offense.
Maryland played most of the first half with a double big lineup featuring both Julian Reese and Queen on the court at the same time. That continued into the second half although Willard found moments to stagger the minutes of his two big men throughout the game.
“They work really well together, it’s just, I just don’t like giving the other team a free pass not having one of them on the floor,” said Willard.
The Terps play Mount St. Mary’s on Friday at the Xfinity Center, in the second of five straight home games to start the season.
