At the Buzzer: Maryland 79, Indiana 78

  • Jan 26, 2025 2:16 pm
 

Quick thoughts on a 79-78 loss against Maryland:

How it happened

In desperate need of a win, Indiana played a solid first half Sunday afternoon in Assembly Hall against the Terps. Neither team led by more than five points in the opening 20 minutes, as IU scored 1.15 points per trip and Maryland had 1.19. The duo of Oumar Ballo (10 points, five rebounds) and Mackenzie Mgbako (nine points, four rebounds) led the way for IU in the first half as the Hoosiers trailed 38-37 at intermission. The Terps did work on the offensive glass and grabbed 50 percent of their misses. Maryland also had a slight advantage from the perimeter, shooting 4-for-10 from distance in the first half compared to 3-for-9 for the Hoosiers. Indiana also played much of the first half without Malik Reneau, who committed two fouls in six minutes.

Indiana was poor defensively to start the second half as Maryland stretched the lead to four at 45-41 by the first media timeout. The Terps lead grew to 57-48 with 11:07 to play after five straight made field goals. Through the first nine minutes of the second half, Maryland scored 1.462 points per possession. After the Maryland lead grew to double figures at 63-53, IU ripped off an 8-1 run to get within three at 64-61, forcing Kevin Willard to take a timeout. Myles Rice had two 3-pointers in that stretch.

The Hoosiers tied the game at 70 on an Anthony Leal 3-point play with 4:42 to go and reclaimed the lead at 73-70 on another 3-pointer by Rice. After Indiana’s lead reached five at 75-70 on a Reneau bucket, Selton Miguel pulled the Terps within three at 75-72 with 2:17 to go. A Trey Galloway turnover with 1:21 remaining gave Maryland possession down three and Willard took another timeout. Julian Reese’s layup got Maryland within one at 75-74 out of the timeout. On IU’s next possession, Leal’s second 3-point play of the afternoon pushed the IU lead to four at 78-74. Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s jumper made it 78-76 with 28 seconds to go. Maryland fouled Trey Galloway, who missed the front end of a one-and-one, setting up Maryland with possession with 18 seconds left. Out of the timeout, Rodney Rice’s 3-pointer gave Maryland the lead at 79-78 with 7.5 seconds left. IU’s final possession ended with a missed corner 3-pointer by Rice, giving the Terps their second straight road win.

Standout performer

Rice came alive offensively, finishing with 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Mgbako also had 16 points and five rebounds. Ballo logged another double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Statistics that stand out

Indiana’s defense struggled again. The Hoosiers allowed the Terps to scored 79 points on 1.25 point per possession. Maryland shot 12-for-24 on 3s.

Final IU individual statistics

Final tempo-free statistics

Assembly Call postgame show

Category: Commentary

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