Maryland’s Thrilling Comeback Victory
In a thrilling matchup on Sunday, No. 20 Maryland showcased remarkable resilience by overcoming a significant 19-point deficit, ultimately defeating eighth-ranked Ohio State 76-75 in Columbus, Ohio. The Terrapins’ performance marks their most impressive comeback since November 2019, when they had previously rallied from a similar shortfall to triumph over James Madison 70-68.
Key Contributions
The victory, which was Maryland’s first against a Top 10 opponent since last year’s Big Ten quarterfinals, highlighted standout contributions from Oluchi Okananwa and Yarden Garzon, both scoring 17 points. Additionally, Addi Mack and Saylor Poffenbarger played pivotal roles with 14 and 13 points respectively.
Turning Point in the Game
Maryland’s journey to victory was fueled by a compelling third quarter where they outscored the Buckeyes 26-14, reducing their halftime deficit of 46-31. This electrifying period included a significant 20-7 run at its outset, featuring a combination of impactful plays from Garzon, Okananwa, and Mack.
Earlier in the game, Ohio State had surged ahead, with Chance Gray hitting a 3-pointer that took the score to 38-19. However, the Terrapins persisted and ultimately regained the lead early in the fourth quarter. Mack’s 3-pointer with 8:17 left put Maryland ahead 62-60, and they pushed their lead to 69-60 before the Buckeyes attempted a comeback.
Final Moments
Despite a scoring slump that lasted over five minutes for Ohio State, they had a final opportunity to clinch victory following a missed free throw from Maryland’s Kyndal Walker in the waning seconds. With just seconds left, Jaloni Cambridge, who scored an impressive 29 points, took a desperate 26-foot three-pointer, but it hit the glass instead of the net, sealing Maryland’s win.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Maryland is set to host Purdue on February 22, while Ohio State will be aiming to bounce back in their upcoming game against Minnesota this Wednesday.
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