Maryland rode a dominant second-half to defeat Manhattan, 79-49, inside Xfinity Center on Monday night to secure their 48th consecutive home opening win, which ranks third nationally. Maryland has now won ten consecutive home non-conference games and 16 against unranked opponents as we break down Maryland’s convincing win:
The offense finds its groove – after time
As the offense worked to get comfortable in the opening minutes, shot selection was a question in the opening minutes of the game as Maryland appeared forced on some early possessions. Derik Queen, though, was able to stabilize efforts early where he was as advertised in his first career college minutes, yet still, three-point shooting didn’t start on the right foot.
Just like everyone predicted, Tafara Gapare was the first to knock down a three on the team's fourth attempt of the game while Jay Young knocked down a triple midway through the first half. Still, the Terps' outside shooting struggled in game one after finishing the first half 2-of-9 from three.
While Maryland shot 70% from the free-throw line and shot nearly 50% inside the arc, the offense struggled to find consistency through the opening 20 minutes as a near five-minute scoring drought allowed Manhattan to tie the game at 17, prompting head coach Kevin Willard to take a timeout at the U-8 mark. The Terps’ control on the boards, though, would mitigate those early offensive woes after Maryland controlled the glass all night, outrebounded Manhattan, 24-13, through the first half. But the nerves would settle in the second half.
Manhattan would trim the deficit to six minutes into the half before Maryland rode a 28-6 run over the next ten minutes to cement the game. Maryland shot 50% in the second half as Julian Reese added 11 points in the final 20 minutes on 5-of-8 shooting, adding to Queen’s 11 second-half points. A 28-6
Selton Miguel, who finished scoreless in 15 minutes, didn’t play in the second half after Kevin Willard noted he suffered a sprained ankle in practice, but the other portal guards picked up the pace. Rodney Rice was able to step in to fill the void, adding 11 points in 13 second-half minutes thanks to a pair of triples, while Ja’Kobi Gillespie capitalized in transition to finish a perfect 3-for-3 as he accounted for four of Maryland’s nine assists in the second half. The duo also combined to shoot 3-of-4 from three in the second half, giving the Terps’ the offense they’ve been waiting for all offseason.
With the game decided in the closing minutes, Willard was able to empty the bench as Braden Pierce made his debut while Malachi Palmer scored four points. Jay Young, meanwhile, was the first off the bench and added three points and five rebounds while Chance Stephens attempted a pair of threes immediately after checking into the game.
Defense stands tall vs. Manhattan
The bread and butter of Kevin Willard’s teams, Maryland’s defense was consistent after holding the Jaspers to 25% shooting inside the arc through the first half. Maryland’s defense forced Manhattan into tough shots early, though a handful of early threes kept the Jaspers in the game. Maryland’s scoring drought didn’t help as the game tightened midway through the first half, but the Terps’ defense didn’t waver as they flashed their full court press at times.
Manhattan finished shooting just 18.8% in the second half, including 1-of-16 from three, as Maryland forced 7 turnovers through the final 20 minutes.
While Queen and Reese give the Terps needed size in the paint, it was Tafara Gapare who proved himself as a rim protector after finishing with a game-high three blocks. Maryland finished with nine blocks as Reese, Queen and Geronimo added two more each.
Derik Queen sets several new records
Expectations were high for Derik Queen after an offseason filled with buzz, but he might’ve found a way to surpass those expectations.
Queen finished with 22 points and 20 rebounds in 27 minutes in a debut that set several records. He became the first Terp since Joe Smith in 1995 to record a 20-20 game, while his 22 points are the most by a freshman since Joe Smith in 1993. Queen is also one of two freshmen (Michael Beasley) to record 20+ points and 20+ rebounds in his college debut, while his 20 rebounds are the most by any freshman in their debut since at least 2005-06.
And the Baltimore native wasted no time doing it as Queen accounted for Maryland’s first four points while tallying six points and four rebounds in his first six minutes of action. It took him just 13 minutes to register a double-double after his putback dunk lifted him to 11 points and 12 rebounds with 90 seconds left in the first half.
It was the type of efficient half that fans have been looking for from the star big man, especially as Julian Reese added three points and took one shot during that stretch. And it was how the freshman did it as Queen accounted for four of Maryland’s first 11 buckets. His soft touch around the rim was clear all night as Queen did well creating position on the block and was efficient around the rim, while the obvious size advantage helped him remain a force around the rim after turning six offensive rebounds into six second-chance points.
With the game tightening in the opening minutes of the second half, Queen would score seven straight points to give the Terps breathing room, pushing the score to 43-32 to give them a lead they wouldn’t turn back from. Queen was also able to show his range a bit after attempting a pair of threes, showcasing his inside-out scoring threat, yet it was his touch in the paint that stole all the headlines.
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