Points have been hard to come by for No. 17-seed Maryland men’s basketball this season. The Big Ten’s worst scoring offense and least efficient team has had some poor showings, including a 54-point performance against No. 16-seed Oregon earlier in the year.

But in Tuesday’s Big Ten Tournament opening round game, the roles were reversed early on.

The Ducks couldn’t find any rhythm offensively and made just three buckets in the opening 20 minutes — half of their 12 points came via free throws. Even with only three turnovers at the break, Oregon struggled to find any scoring.

While the Terps didn’t play their best offensive half, Diggy Coit still matched the Ducks’ first-half production. After opening up a double-digit lead six minutes into the game, Maryland never looked back en route to a 70-60 win.

Maryland now plays No. 9-seed Iowa in tomorrow’s second-round matchup at noon.

“Our staff was tremendous in making sure that we didn’t overload our guys,” Williams said. “We played the last game of the regular season in the Big Ten and then obviously we played the first game in the Big Ten Tournament, so we didn’t practice. Our practice was in the film room.”

Coit has practically willed the Terps to some victories this season. But the last month of the season has not been friendly to the graduate student despite his shot volume remaining consistent. Coit has just two double-digit outings in the last six games.

Just 48 hours removed from one of his best performances in recent time, Coit rediscovered his stroke from the field on Tuesday.

Coit knocked down a pair of triples and scored 12 first-half points — he entered the game just 2-of-14 from deep across the last three contests. While Maryland had other scoring options, the 5-foot-11 guard finished with a game-high 17 points.

Coit may lead the team in three-point makes during Big Ten play, but Elijah Saunders has been the Terps’ most consistent threat from behind the arc. The senior has drained a remarkable 39% of his shots from downtown.

That efficiency reached a new high on Tuesday. Saunders nailed five triples and only jacked up six three-point attempts. Despite his inability to gain separation off the dribble, he has thrived in his off-ball role. Saunders is nearly automatic on his catch-and-shoot looks.

“A lot of [our offense] will end up with Elijah on the perimeter, because we don’t have anybody to throw it to,” head coach Buzz Williams said. “And offensively, it looks better. I think we made nine threes on Sunday, and I think we made nine threes again today.”

While the Terps’ offense was relatively consistent, their defense was the biggest storyline in the first half.

Maryland rarely gave Oregon uncontested shots from the field. Even when the Ducks got a sliver of space, Solomon Washington and Collin Metcalf’s quick recovery forced them into some uncomfortable looks.

“When it comes down to March, whoever can defend, rebound and not turn the ball over is gonna win,” Saunders said. 

That was one of the driving reasons behind Oregon’s slow start. The Ducks missed their first 12 shots from the field before Nate Bittle snapped the 11-minute scoring drought. Oregon still only made two shots the rest of the half.

Bittle was practically Oregon’s only offense for most of the game. The 7-foot center made all three of his team’s first-half makes and shot 7-of-15 from the field, finishing with a team-high 16 points.

But it was too little too late. Maryland opened up a 19-point halftime lead — its largest advantage since its first Big Ten victory nearly two months ago. While the Terps didn’t shoot lights out from the field, it didn’t hurt itself either.

Maryland has been one of the most turnover prone teams in the Big Ten, producing giveaways at the second-highest mark. That was not the case early on. The Terps had two first-half turnovers but still totaled 10 in the game.

Outside of Maryland’s clean play, it attacked the glass at a strong rate. The conference’s third best offensive rebounding team totaled eight boards in the first half, which led to six points. 

Limited turnovers combined with its steady presence on the glass led the Terps to jack up nine more shots. It took advantage of those extra opportunities, finishing 40% from the field and finding contact in the paint.

“If we don’t give the ball to the other team, we at least have a chance to get an offensive rebound […] and our defense to get set.,” Williams said. “In the first half, we were arguably as good as we’ve been in those two games.”

Maryland was one of the top free-throw shooting teams early in the year, but slowed down immensely during Big Ten play. However, the Terps got back to the charity stripe at a high clip on Tuesday, shooting 15-of-18 from the line.

Despite an inefficient outing from Andre Mills and Darius Adams — the duo combined for 4-of-23 from the field — the freshmen still finished in double-figures.

While Oregon’s 48 second-half points were alarming, it could only draw within double-digits just once in the final 20 minutes. Maryland’s timely shooting ultimately eliminated the Ducks’ comeback hopes.