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Maryland Basketball: Terps Hold Late Lead to Beat Penn State 75-69

By Anthony Brown

COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 21: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Maryland Terrapins looks on against the Michigan Wolverines at Xfinity Center on February 21, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 21: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Maryland Terrapins looks on against the Michigan Wolverines at Xfinity Center on February 21, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Big Ten Conference play was in session as Maryland basketball (13-3, 2-1 Big Ten) faced their first challenge of 2018 against Penn State basketball

Maryland basketball point guard Anthony Cowan and freshman Bruno Fernando combined for 35 points as the Terps had to rally late in their Big Ten showdown against Penn State.

The Terps’ 75-69 victory Tuesday night, more importantly, provides Terps a boost heading into Thursday’s road matchup against No. 1 Michigan State.

Still, the Terps had to take care of business against a solid Penn State basketball team lead by Mike Watkins and Tony Carr. The game comes after the UMD basketball roster took another hit, losing Ivan Bender for the season.

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Early foul trouble was a problem for the Terps as Kevin Huerter got two fouls and had to sit on the bench. This game was what a Big Ten Conference matchup should be. A back and forth game with both teams trying to take control and breath comfortably.

Anthony Cowan had to take care of the scoring load at points in the first half and dazzled as he drove the lane and got the roll for layups and fouls.

A 9-0 run in favor of Maryland Basketball led to a 19 -13 lead before Penn State made their way back in the lead later in the first half.

Plays that his teammates and coaches expect from him. He had 10 points, two assists and two rebounds and Bruno Fernando had nine points and six rebounds. At halftime, Penn State led 34-30.

On the other end, Penn State’s Carr had 11 points, three assists, and a rebound. His teammate Mike Watkins finished the first half with eight points and eight rebounds.

Under 15 minutes in the second half, Cowan kept the Terps close by adding a team-high 16 points, along with three assists. A Jared Nickens three tied the game up at 48 with 11:45 to go and Watkins was racking up the rebounds. He had 14 points, 12 rebounds and one block at this point in the game.

Under six minutes to go, Penn State had a 61-58 lead and this game could have really gone either way. Darryl Morsell hit a huge three to tie the game with 4:45 to go and a rebound on the other end as well.

A timeout was taken by Penn State with 3:59 left after Michal Cekovsky scored and was fouled. 63-61 Terps.

Maryland Basketball squeezed out a victory 75-69. This victory is due in part to Morsell’s play late even though he struggled shooting the ball throughout the game.

Fernando got his first career double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) and even though Josh Reaves hit a late three-pointer to cut the Terps lead to two, 71-69, Maryland Basketball was victorious. Cowan, Huerter, and Cekevosky had 18, 13 and 10 points respectively.

Mike Watkins had 17 points and 16 rebounds and two blocks. Carr and Stevens combined for 31 points and nine assists for Penn State.

Maryland Basketball Highlights vs Penn State

Next: 3 Reasons Why Maryland Will Overcome Losing Standout Justin Jackson

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