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Résumé booster: Maryland picks up important win over Michigan State in B1G Tournament
Published:
Maryland may have secured its spot in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday afternoon.
Despite trailing by 12 points through the first 10 minutes of the game, the Terrapins responded in impressive fashion and posted a 68-57 win over Michigan State to open B1G Tournament play on Thursday. After dropping their last two games to Northwestern and Penn State, the Terps needed a win to ensure a spot in March Madness.
Maryland trailed 23-11 with 10 minutes remaining in the opening half. That’s when things started clicking for Mark Turgeon’s team. The Terrapins closed the half out on a 23-7 run, which included a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Eric Ayala to take a 34-30 advantage into the locker room.
The Terps then scored the first 8 points of the second half to increase the lead to 42-30. Michigan State was essentially done at that point. Below are some of the highlights from the game:
Air Wiggins. ✈@Aaron_Wiggins_ // @TerrapinHoops pic.twitter.com/EarxfjBpqL
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 11, 2021
Once down 12, @TerrapinHoops leads by four at the half.
Eric Ayala (@EA_Glo) beat the halftime buzzer to make it 34-30. pic.twitter.com/T7Ex4IAzI3
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 11, 2021
😱@Aaron_Wiggins_ just did this on one of the B1G's best defenders. pic.twitter.com/INDA4nz8Ba
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 11, 2021
This half has belonged to @TerrapinHoops, more specifically @Aaron_Wiggins_. pic.twitter.com/YwOnfbzwqx
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 11, 2021
Glorious, all around, @TerrapinHoops. 👏 pic.twitter.com/lT3wL9ONG5
— Maryland On BTN (@MarylandOnBTN) March 11, 2021
It's an And-1 party for @TerrapinHoops. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/y8xV1hXk0l
— Maryland On BTN (@MarylandOnBTN) March 11, 2021
Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins carries a heavily load for the Terrapins on Thursday. Ayala was the games leading scorer with 21 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in the win. Wiggins had 19 points and 6 rebounds. They were the only two players from Maryland to reach double figures.
Michigan State was led by Malik Hall, who had 19 points. Aaron Henry scored 12.
With the victory, Maryland improved to 16-12 on the season. It will now advance to the quarterfinal round of the B1G Tournament and will play No. 1 seed Michigan on Friday morning.
Michigan State falls to 15-12 and will now wait and see if its name will be called on Selection Sunday.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB