Thrilling Matchup in College Basketball
COLLEGE PARK, Maryland (AP) — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, the University of Maryland triumphed over the University of Iowa with a final score of 77-70, putting an end to Iowa’s impressive six-game winning streak. Andre Mills shined for the Terrapins, scoring a game-high 24 points, while David Coit made a significant impact off the bench by contributing 19 points.
Key Moments of the Game
Maryland faced a pivotal moment when Mills scored 10 consecutive points to put the Terrapins ahead 57-56 with just over eight minutes left on the clock. Following that stretch, Coit extended the lead to six points by netting the next five points for Maryland. Despite Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz cutting the deficit to three points twice in the final moments, Maryland’s Elijah Saunders secured the victory by hitting four crucial free throws, followed by two more from Coit, ultimately sealing the win.
Game Challenges
The Terrapins had some challenges throughout the game, most notably struggling at the free-throw line where they converted just 19 of 28 attempts, and they also recorded a total of 14 turnovers. On the other hand, Iowa struggled to capitalize on these opportunities, failing to sink ten consecutive three-point attempts during the final ten minutes. Saunders for Maryland added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Darius Adams chipped in with 11 points. Solomon Washington contributed 10 points and eight rebounds, helping Maryland dominate the rebounding battle with a 34-25 advantage.
Standout Performers
For Iowa, Stirtz was the standout player, finishing with an impressive 32 points, six assists, and no turnovers. He shot 13-for-21 from the field and 4-for-10 from beyond the arc, marking his third game scoring over 30 points in just four contests. Tavion Banks also made his mark with 13 points and eight rebounds, contributing to Iowa’s efforts.
Looking Ahead
Earlier this season, Iowa had handily defeated Maryland 83-64, marking head coach Ben McCollum’s first Big Ten win. The Terrapins improved their season record to 10-14, including a 3-10 record in the Big Ten conference, while Iowa dropped to 18-6 and 8-5 in league play.
Looking ahead, Iowa will return to their home court to take on No. 13 Purdue on Saturday, while Maryland is set to travel to face Rutgers on Sunday.
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