By: Joe Catapano
In a game that featured seven freshmen starters, it was the young Terrapins who overcame a second-half run to prevail on the road against Iowa, 84-76.
For the first time since Nov. 11, a game in which Maryland squeaked by American 62-56 at home, the Terrapins played as a top-25 team in the country Thursday against the Hawkeyes.
After taking its first lead 34 minutes and 42 seconds into the game, Iowa extended a one-point lead to three with 4:28 left on the clock.
With a trio of freshmen and Ivan Bender by his side, Melo Trimble did what he’s done for the Terrapins repeatedly this season: take over late in the game.
Trimble hit 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions to take a 75-72 lead and didn’t look back. Maryland, who led by as much as 15 points at one point, wouldn’t blow a lead for a second time.
After shooting a poor 2-of-11 last game from 3-point range against Illinois, Trimble started the game 2-2 from deep and ended the night making five of his nine attempts from beyond the arc.
Trimble finished with 20 points on 6-for-12 shooting and although he didn’t reach the free-throw line until the final minute of play, his three free throws in the last 51 seconds helped seal another Terps road win.
Maryland and Iowa faced off last season in the first ever top-10 matchup in XFINITY Center history. One year later, the only ranked team entering the game was the Terrapins, who just moved back into the No. 25 spot in the AP Poll after being left out ever since the preseason.
Maryland led by nine points at halftime after dominating Iowa both offensively and defensively. The Terrapins shot 57 percent in the first half, while the Hawkeyes failed to eclipse the 30-percent mark.
Maryland was able to jump out to a lead because the team spread the ball quickly and efficiently. Of Maryland’s 16 first-half field goals, 14 were assisted on.
Anthony Cowan had another great game, playing like an experienced player rather than a freshman. His 15 points and six assists contributed to Maryland’s 10th victory in its last 11 games.
Maryland’s performance in the first half was its best 20-minute defensive span in a while. Iowa missed 12-straight field goals in an eight-minute span due to a smothering Terrapin defense.
Star Hawkeye player Peter Jok scored 12 points in the first half, but was held to just two points in the final 20 minutes.
Despite another close game in which Maryland turned the ball over 21 times, the Terrapins somehow in some way grinded out a victory to stay unbeaten in three true road games this season.
Maryland (17-2) will be welcomed back to College Park Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Rutgers, who is still winless in Big Ten competition.
