Maryland men get much needed close win over Nebraska, 69-66

Photo courtesy of University of Maryland Athletics

Following a disappointing overtime loss to Northwestern on Thursday, Maryland basketball (14-5, 4-4 Big Ten) desperately needed a response with a staunch schedule ahead of them. 

In their return to the Xfinity Center, the Terps got that very response, defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-6, 2-5 Big Ten), 69-66. 

Watching the game felt like riding a see-saw. Although Maryland led for nearly 80% of the game, momentum shifted back and forth. Just when you thought the Terps would run away with a win, the Cornhuskers stormed back. They tied the game five times, even when down by nine with the game closing. 

The Terps rode a hot three-point hand in the first half, shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc, led by Ja’Kobi Gillespie. The junior guard finished as the game’s leading scorer with 22 points, going 5-of-9 from 3-point range. Two other Maryland starters, Rodney Rice and Selton Miguel, finished with double-digit points, with 15 and 13 respectively. 

However, the Terps couldn’t replicate their success from three in the second half and struggled shooting overall. To make things harder on themselves, they allowed Nebraska seven offensive rebounds and seven second-chance points in the final 20 minutes.  

Despite their shakiness, the Terps came through when it mattered most. With the game tied and just 40 seconds left, Gillespie drove into the paint and laid a shot off the glass to give the Terps a two-point lead. On the other end, the Terps stifled Nebraska’s attempts to get the ball into the paint, with Julian Reese coming up to the perimeter and snatching the ball away before getting fouled. 

Although the Terps also struggled from the charity stripe — 7/12 overall and 2/5 in the second half — Rice sunk one to give them a three-point lead, effectively icing the game. 

The win came at a desperate time for the Terps, who are slated to hit the road for their next two games in two difficult atmospheres. They’ll be back on the hardwood on Thursday, as they head back to Illinois, this time to take on the No. 19 ranked Illini.