After a tightly contested first half that Maryland Basketball lead by three at the break, Maryland outscored Manhattan by 27 in the second half to pull away and beat the Jaspers 79-49 in their season opener.
Derik Queen had a debut to remember for Maryland posting 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He became the first Terp to post a 20-20 game since Joe Smith in the 1995 NCAA Tournament.
"I had no nerves before the game," said Queen. "I just want to go out there and play basketball. That's what I love to do, no reason to be nervous.
The freshman Queen enters his Maryland tenure with high expectations, The Baltimore native left to play at Montverde in Florida for high school, and came home to play for Maryland as the 12th-ranked recruit in the country for the Class of 2024. (247). He is the second highest-rated recruit to commit to Maryland (247).
"I said immediately he was going to be one of the best freshmen in the country," said head coach Kevin Willard. "What he did tonight is what he does in practice every day, so it's really not that surprising.
The Terps struggled early in the game and could not find a way to put Manhattan away. The Jaspers hung around thanks to key contributions from Shaquil Bender with 12, and Devin Dinkins with 10.
The second half was dominated by Maryland as both Queen and Rodney Rice put up 11. Additionally, Belmont transfer Ja'kobi Gillespie finished with 18 in his first game as the Terps new point guard.
"We got eight new guys, and Manhattan's very well coached defensively, they run stuff," said Willard "I really wasn't that worried. I just kind of wanted everyone to kind of get their game nerves out."
Maryland will play their first five games inside the Xfinity Center, highlighted by a matchup against No. 18 Marquette on Nov. 15. The Terps next outing will be against in-state opponent Mount St Mary's on Friday at 8:00 on Big Ten Network.
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