Maryland men’s basketball falls to Nebraska in overtime, 70-66

Down one with simply over half a minute to play in extra time, Maryland males’s basketball was inbounding the ball close to its personal bench with an opportunity to take the lead and are available away from a hard-fought recreation at Nebraska with a win.

Senior guard Hakim Hart appeared to graduate guard Jahmir Younger, who had come alive within the additional interval, however studying his eyes was redshirt freshman walk-on guard Sam Hoiberg. Hoiberg intercepted the go and took it the opposite method for a layup, inserting the proverbial dagger in Maryland’s hopes, because the Cornhuskers sealed a 70-66 win from there.

The Terps mounted a valiant comeback effort after trailing by seven at halftime, even taking a lead that grew to as a lot as eight within the second half, however they weren’t capable of maintain off a late push by Nebraska that compelled extra time.

Maryland sophomore ahead Julian Reese had probably the most productive video games of his younger profession, posting 16 factors and a career-high 16 rebounds, however was outdueled by Nebraska senior ahead Derrick Walker Jr., who led all scorers with 23 factors. Cornhuskers junior guard Keisei Tominaga additionally managed a 20-point displaying, together with a deep three early within the extra time interval.

Maryland got here into Sunday rolling after an upset residence win over No. 3 Purdue — its sixth win in its final seven video games — and appeared each little bit of a crew due for a letdown after an emotional win. The Terps began 2-for-16 from the sector and had 5 turnovers within the first 9 minutes, unable to get something happening the offensive finish. Senior ahead Donta Scott, who hit an early three to kick off the sport’s scoring, missed all however one in every of his ultimate 14 photographs. Younger, who ended up with 16 factors, didn’t have a a lot better first half, going 2-for-8 with simply 4 factors.

The Terps awakened in the course of the center a part of the primary half, compiling a 10-0 run on the again of two threes from Hart — who led the crew with these six factors on the half — and two layups by graduate ahead Patrick Emilien, briefly giving them the lead. However Nebraska answered with a quick scoring spurt of its personal and continued to carry the lead into the halftime break, sporting a 31-24 benefit.

The Cornhuskers had been led early by the tandem of Tominaga and Walker Jr., who mixed for 22 of their 31 first-half factors.

Tominaga, a identified sharpshooter, entered Sunday having scored double-digit factors in 9 of his final 10 video games, the one exception being his three-point displaying towards the Terps on Jan. 28. They had been unable to cease him from getting going Sunday.

Walker Jr. was capable of benefit from two first-half fouls by Maryland sophomore ahead Julian Reese, who performed 10 of the opening 20 minutes however needed to keep cautious to not be whistled once more. Reese did nicely to handle his foul bother — one thing he has develop into aware of this season — enjoying 31 minutes Sunday regardless of ending with 4 fouls.

Reese was blazing sizzling to begin the second half, changing an old school three-point play earlier than blocking a shot and forcing a turnover. His largest contribution was his skill to attract fouls, as his bodily presence was key in Nebraska committing six fouls within the first 5 minutes.

That physicality set the tone for the Terps to show the tide of the sport and make a comeback. Maryland went on a 17-2 run with Walker Jr. and senior guard Sam Griesel having three and 4 private fouls, respectively, asserting itself with the lead for the primary time because the early levels of the primary half.

Throughout that stretch, the Terps’ protection shut the disoriented Cornhuskers down, forcing an almost eight-minute subject objective drought that featured 0-for-8 taking pictures and Nebraska’s solely two factors coming from free throws.

As was the case with the Terps’ first-half run, Hart drained two threes, his third and fourth of the sport. As a crew, Maryland shot 31.8% (7-of-22) from three Sunday, however Hart led the best way with 4 triples.

Nebraska didn’t wilt, although, and battled again, tying the sport with only one minute to play. The groups traded baskets from there — a floater from Younger and a tricky end by Walker Jr. — sending Sunday’s contest into extra time.

The groups went back-and-forth within the additional interval, however Hoiberg’s steal and rating proved to be sufficient separation for the Cornhuskers to come back away with the victory.

Maryland can have a first-rate likelihood to get again on observe Wednesday when it returns residence for a recreation towards last-place Minnesota, a must-win for the crew’s hopes at a excessive seed within the Huge Ten and NCAA tournaments.

Three issues to know

1. Maryland couldn’t shut it out. After coming again to take the lead within the second half, Maryland fell aside within the ultimate moments of the sport and let Nebraska power extra time. As soon as there, 4 turnovers hindered the Terps’ possibilities of rising victorious. With simply 4 video games left on the schedule and Sunday presumably being their more than likely street win remaining, they may have a look at this recreation as one they need to have had.

2. Foul bother. Private fouls had been a significant factor in Sunday’s end result, with the Terps’ second-half comeback approaching the backs of Walker Jr. and Griesel’s foul bother and eight gamers registering a minimum of three fouls. Junior guard Ian Martinez fouled out in extra time, which lessened Maryland’s defensive and offensive prowess.

3. A blow to the Terps’ possibilities at a double-bye. With the race for a top-four seed within the Huge Ten Event tightening — 9 groups are at the moment in rivalry — each recreation turns into that rather more essential. Dropping a recreation to the third-to-last-place crew within the convention makes Maryland’s margin for error far slimmer.