Maryland notches second largest win in program history, crushing Canisius 108-37

Photo courtesy of University of Maryland Athletics

There aren’t any words to describe the level of dominance Maryland Basketball (4-1) displayed on Tuesday night. 

After a heart-wrenching loss on Friday to No. 15 Marquette, the Terps dismantled the Canisius Golden Griffins (0-6), 108-37. It is the highest number of points scored since November of 2005 and second-largest win in program history.

“It’s great, especially after a disappointing loss the other day,” senior forward JuJu Reese said. “It feels good to have guys that I know can bounce back so quickly, set the tone, and put on us notice like that.” 

Canisius scored the first basket of the contest, a contested three-point shot by freshman Evan van der Plas, which barely beat the shot clock. They’d hold that lead, their only of the game, for exactly one minute of game time. From there on out, it was all about the Terps. Using a 28-0 run, the Terps entered halftime up by 45 points. Their largest lead of the game would be by 71. 

The Terps gave the Golden Griffins no room to breathe, running a full-court press for the entirety of the first half. The Terps forced their opponent into multiple 10-second and shot clock violations, stealing the ball five times. They would finish with 23 total turnovers forced, leading to 39 points off them alone. When Canisius was able to get a shot off, they rarely fell. The Golden Griffins also recorded just five offensive rebounds. 

On the offensive end, the Terps moved the ball flawlessly, consistently creating open looks and driving to the basket with ease. If by the off chance the Terps’ first look didn’t fall, they also snagged 16 offensive rebounds, finishing with 30 second chance points. 

After coming just one rebound short against Florida A&M and one point short against Mount St. Mary’s, Reese recorded his first double-double of the season, which he accomplished with over two minutes remaining in the first half. He would finish with 20 points and 12 rebounds. South Florida transfer Selton Miguel had his best performance as a Terp thus far, finishing with 15 points, three assists, and two steals.

“I thought JuJu set the whole tempo for us,” head coach Kevin Willard said. “I was on the team about getting the basketball to him. For him to make a conscious effort to kick it out on the first possession after he didn’t eat that many touches, he set the tone of being unselfish.”

All five of the Terps’ starters, which included Rodney Rice for the first time this season, finished with double-digit points. Graduate guard Jay Young offered 10 points off the bench, while senior guard Ben Murphy notched his first minutes of the season. He hit a three-pointer which sent Maryland’s bench into a frenzy.

“Nothing big really changed,” Rice said about his first start. “I just had to find and maintain that energy level for the first four minutes and just keep competing.”

Although the Terps are expected to win games such as this one, Willard couldn’t ask much more out of his team tonight. Now, the preparation begins to hit the road for the first time. The Terps are set to take on the Villanova Wildcats this Sunday at 12 p.m. in Newark, New Jersey.