Maryland Terrapins: Terps Get Close Win vs Indiana
Kevin Ferrell (23 points, six assists, five rebounds) of Indiana and Melo Trimble (18 points, two assists, two rebounds) of the Maryland Terrapins were making plays for their respective teams as they’ve done throughout the season. But in the end, the Terps outlasted the Hoosiers for a home win in the final seconds, 68-66. This game was a battle of wills and who wanted it more.
As in the first matchup between these two teams, three pointers were a factor; and Indiana was draining them in part because of Ferrell. The Terps returned the favor and kept up the pace with them. This game came down to the final stretch; five minutes left in the second half and both teams were scoring baskets. At one point the game seemed like it was going Indiana’s way. With 20 seconds remaining, Maryland clung to a three-point lead, 66-63.
Indiana was able to cut the lead to two, and on the final play of the game, the ball was in Yogi Ferrell’s hands. He inbounded the ball and flew down the court going up for a three pointer — a shot he had made often than not in this game. He missed. He got his own rebound and put another shot up, but missed again. Layman secured the rebound and a win for the Terps, 68-66.
Against Indiana, the Terps still struggled with their perimeter defense, but it helped that they were able to get three’s despite giving them up. They need to work on this defensive element if they want to continue to stay in games late, like they did last night.
Rebounding and protecting the paint were keys as well early on in the game, as Damonte Dodd had a block party in the first half. This facilitated slowing down the game a little bit and not letting it get out of control. The Hoosiers out-rebounded the Terps 47-42, getting 14 offensive boards to Maryland’s seven; but the Terps got the key rebounds when they needed them to make sure that they were in a position to win.
Richaud Pack, who is known as a scorer, struggled getting the ball in the basket; but he was able to get six rebounds and contribute significantly in that fashion.
Even though Dez Wells and Melo Trimble had the most points among the starting five, I’d have to give credit to Jake Layman as the critical player of the game. He has been a staple player for the Terps this season. Though having his fair share of struggles as of late, in this game he picked his spots on the floor and produced. He was the X-factor with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting and seven rebounds added to the sheet. When he struggles, the team seems to as well. You’ll get production from Wells and Trimble, but Layman at the three-position is that guy that you need in a close game to produce; and he did just that.