College Park, MD – Maryland came into this game trying to extend Michigan’s losing streak to five games. Both teams had the same 1-3 record in Big 10 conference play as they looked to improve their place in the standings. This game started off slow in the first half with both teams struggling to get much going offensively. Michigan was up 33-21 at halftime led by senior forwards Olivier Nkamhoua and Terrance Williams II who finished the game with a combined 28 points. The Terps missed a whopping ten threes in the first half but made six in the second half which gave them the lead. Maryland’s Donta Scott scored 20 points in the second half including four shots from downtown. Julian Reese finished the game with 14 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks as he made a strong defensive impact on this game. The Terps outscored the Wolverines 43-24 in the second half and held on to win, 64-57.
Maryland’s senior forward Scott finished the game with 22 points and four rebounds. He only made one basket in the first half but knocked down some key threes in the second. Scott is somewhat polarizing because of his inconsistency but his talent is unmistakable. He had a posterizing dunk in the beginning of the game, a precursor to his big night. Scott went quiet until the second half when he knocked down several threes within a few minutes. One of his 3-pointers was scored with 7:56 remaining in the second half to give Maryland its first lead. Scott added another 3-pointer on their next possession for his fourth that put the Terps in the lead. He played with poise getting the defense to commit, making good cuts and screens. Scott cemented himself in the top 10 of 3-point scorers in the school’s history.
Reese had a very good game finishing with his seventh double-double of the year and added five blocks and three steals to his stat line. Two of those blocks came in the final minute, with 23.2 seconds left. Reese, a 58.6% free-throw shooter who had made just two of six from the stripe, sank two free throws for a 62-57 lead. He was an excellent rim protector this game and got easier looks in the paint when the Terps went over the top to feed him in the post. He didn’t play perfectly but did have an overall impact on both sides of the floor.
Michigan’s Nkamhoua scored 18 points, seven boards and two assists and looked good from opening tip. He has nice size and shooting stroke from the floor. He was very active on the glass and kept the Wolverines afloat along with Terrance Williams who finished with 10 points and two rebounds. He also has a nice shot but often stayed on the wing when he should have been more aggressive. Maryland’s defense did make him uncomfortable going in the lane where he’s going to have to win more of his iso match-ups.
The Terps are now 25-2 at home dating back to last season and look to win against Illinois, while Michigan, still reeling from five straight losses, go up against Ohio State next. Maryland is now 10-6 on the year and Michigan is 6-10.
This article was written by Kenneth Moore, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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