COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A 13-0 run in the second half by the Nicholls State University men's basketball team gave the Colonels a nine-point edge at Maryland, but the Terrapins rallied and made just enough plays down the stretch to keep their home winning streak in tact with a 73-67 victory Tuesday night in the XFINITY Center.
Nicholls (4-7) used the three-ball all night to cause problems for Maryland (7-4), including hitting three to fuel the 13-0 spurt early in the second half for a 43-34 advantage. But the Terrapins fought back as the Colonels made just 3 of 16 from the field over a 10-minute span, allowing Maryland to eventually take the lead with seven minutes remaining. The teams played to two more ties before the Terrapins secured their 18th consecutive home victory.
Playing in his first full game in over a month,
Diante Smith came off the bench for a team-high 18 points to go along with 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Jamal West Jr. also had a double-double with 14 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, and
Jalen White sank 5 of 6 from three-point range for 15 points.
Despite being outsized, Nicholls did a solid job in rebounding as Maryland had just a 46-40 advantage. But 14 came on the offensive end for the Terps and it led to a 19-7 margin in second chance points. With Nicholls down 62-59 and less than two minutes to go, the Colonels missed the front end of the bonus but forced a missed three-pointer by the Terrapins, however, Maryland got the offensive rebound and Jahari Long doubled the lead with a three-ball.
Nicholls hung around in the final minute with two more three-pointers, but Maryland made eight free throws to keep it a two-possession game.
Led by White's night, Nicholls shot 12 of 22 from three-point range but struggled inside the arc -- including the free throw line. The Colonels made only 11 of 37 from two-point range and finished 9 of 17 at the charity stripe. The defense limited Maryland to 35-percent shooting, but the Terrapins had a better day at the line by hitting 19 of 29.
The Colonels made 5 of 7 from distance in the first half as the teams played to four ties and six lead changes. An old-fashioned three-point play by Smith gave Nicholls a 26-25 edge but a late triple by Donta Scott sent Maryland into the locker room with a 28-27 lead.
In the second half, Maryland jumped out to a 34-30 advantage before Nicholls made its big run. White and
Robert Brown III drained threes to start the 13-0 run. West followed with a putback, White hit another three, then West scored again inside to force a Maryland timeout with Nicholls leading 43-34.
With the Colonels leading 49-45 after Brown beat the shot clock with a running hook shot, the Terrapins answered with a 7-0 run, going up 52-49 on another three-pointer by Long.
Nicholls tied the game at 52 on a
Byron Ireland layup and again at 55 on White's final three-pointer of the night but would not lead again.
Jahmir Young led all scorers with 23 points and also had a double-double with 11 rebounds. Julian Reese swatted away six shots as Maryland totaled a season-high 13 blocks.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will wrap up it two-game Maryland trip with a matchup against Towson on Friday, Nov. 22. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. central.
