No. 16 Maryland men’s basketball scores season low offensive output in 58-55 loss to No. 8 Michigan State

Photo courtesy of University of Maryland Athletics

Michigan State’s Tre Holloway has etched his name into the history of his program and Big Ten basketball forever. 

After Maryland’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie missed a potential game-winning three, Holloway collected the miss and launched a shot from beyond halfcourt. He sunk it less than a second after time expired. 

In a game likely to have major implications for the Big Ten Tournament and March Madness, No. 8 Michigan State (23-5, 14-3 Big Ten) defeated No. 16 Maryland (21-7, 11-6) 58-55 on Wednesday at the Xfinity Center. 

“You always want to make sure you get the last shot,” Maryland head coach Kevin Willard said. “If he waits, maybe he doesn’t get an open look … [but] at the end of the day, the kid still had to hit a 60-footer to beat us.”

With the nation watching, the Terps welcomed the Spartans to a sold-out Xfinity Center. While the doors opened at 5 p.m., fans started congregating outside as early as 3:30, and from the start, the crowd noise was deafening.

Despite Michigan State’s stifling defense, the Terps’ lack of success from the floor in the first half was their worst showing all season. The Terps entered the locker room having scored just 23 points, shooting 8-for-28 from the floor and 1-for-10 from beyond the arc. On top of that, they turned the ball over six times.

Regardless of Maryland’s struggles, a buzzer-beating floater from Selton Miguel gave the Terps a two-point lead heading into the half. 

Willard, who praised Izzo on Tuesday, beat the legendary coach at his own game in the first 20-minute frame. The Spartans shot 9-for-31 from the floor and were 0-5 from long range. The Terps’ defense forced nine turnovers.

“I don’t think either coach can look at that first half and be happy with the result,” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said. “I give a lot of credit to them; I think Kevin did a phenomenal job.”

While both defenses remained vigilant to begin the second half, it quickly became apparent that neither side could replicate their success in the first half. Both squads found a better rhythm on offense, exceeding their first-half scoring outputs with over four minutes remaining in the game.

For the Terps, Rodney Rice took over, getting hot from three. Willard rode his hot hand, keeping Rice out for nearly the entire second half. The guard finished the game playing 39 minutes, scoring 20 points, 15 of which came in the second half, and hitting all four of Maryland’s 3-point shots in the game.

“This is definitely going to get us tougher, get us better, and bring us together,” Rice said. “Nobody wants to lose, but we all have our heads up. We’re going to keep fighting and keep going forward.”

The biggest difference between the two teams was their bench production. For the second time in the past four games, not a single point came off the bench for the Terps, while the Spartans’ depth allowed Izzo to play only one starter, freshman Jase Richardson, for over 30 minutes. They had nine players play at least 14 minutes and 23 bench points.

But the Terps’ starters continued to fight. Down by four with 48 seconds left, Gillespie went to the line and sunk two free throws. On the inbound attempt, Rice stole it, dishing it back to Gillespie, who got fouled again and converted both free throws to tie the game. 

The Spartans ran as much time off the clock as possible but missed their attempt at a late lead. The ball was in Gillespie’s hands again, who drove down the court and attempted his own game-winner with three seconds left. His shot hit the front of the rim.

Holloway collected the rebound and launched it from beyond halfcourt, sinking it as the buzzer went off. He was immediately swarmed by his teammates after silencing everybody in attendance. 

The Terps will look to rebound when they begin their final road trip of the season, starting Saturday against Penn State. e was immediately swarmed by his teammates after silencing everybody in attendance. 

The Terps will look to rebound as they get set for their final road trip of the season.