Terrapins Men’s Basketball Fall in Home Opener to Georgetown

The Maryland Terrapins (1-1) fell to the Georgetown Hoyas (2-0) 70-60 Friday evening at the Xfinity Center.

Following their season-opening win against Coppin State in Baltimore, the Terps had their first test at home. Maryland fans in College Park got their first sight of the new Terps. Maryland suffered its first loss of the season, snapping a 48-game winning streak in home openers.

“I thought our men were prepared from jump, our preparation leading up to the game was spectacular,” said Georgetown Hoyas head coach Ed Cooley following the win.

It was comfortable from the start for Georgetown. 

Georgetown got out to an early 11-0 lead before a Maryland timeout just three minutes into the game. Payne put the Terps on the board with two free throws and a layup on back-to-back possessions to get Maryland started. Payne had 17 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and 13 free throws made.

Georgetown’s guard Malik Mack started strong immediately after halftime. After knocking down threes on two possessions in a row, the Hoyas found themselves already up by 11 points after halftime. 

With just over 11 minutes to play in the game, Maryland made only five field goals while shooting 16% from the field. The Hoyas led 50-30, their largest of the game. 

Mack said after the game that getting stops allowed the Hoyas to run in transition, which they took advantage of to gain that lead.

Former Terrapin and now Georgetown Hoya DeShawn Harris-Smith was assessed a double technical foul along with Maryland’s transfer guard Myles Rice. Boos rang down from the crowd on Harris-Smith, a constant occurrence all game. Rice had 19 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Terps.

The technical fouls, specifically from Harris-Smith riled up the crowd. They started to make more noise as the Terps were down 53-39 with just under eight minutes left in the contest.

Similar to Rodney Rice lighting up the court last year, a Myles Rice steal and layup brought the Xfinity Center to its feet, signaling that there’s a new Rice in College Park. 

The Terps trailed 58-50 but there were signs of life. Rice kept scoring, but the Hoyas continued to answer. 

Georgetown’s KJ Lewisput in a three to extend the Hoyas lead to 61-50. He finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.

A few plays later, Terps forward Pharrel Payne put in two free throws, but Mack made a timely three pointer with three minutes to go, maintaining the lead at 66-56. Mack had 19 points and eight rebounds in the game.

A block from the Hoyas’ Caleb Williams deflated the rest of the crowd in attendance as stands emptied with around 40 seconds left. Williams finished the contest with 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. The Hoyas led 69-60.

“Removing the first four minutes, if you could, from each half, it was a different game,” said Maryland head coach Buzz Williams following the loss.

Although the Hoyas got out to a fast start, the Maryland defense tightened quickly.

With about three minutes to play in the first half, a three pointer by Terps guard David Coit cut the Hoyas lead to four at 25-21.

Rice put in the second three of the night for Maryland right before the end of the half as the Terps trailed 32-27. Maryland shot a lackluster five-for-22 in the first half.

The Terps ended the game with only four assists. They took care of business at the free throw line going 30/37, but shooting 25% from the field is always a recipe for defeat. 

“Our shot diet was good, but other than free throws we just didn’t shoot them at a high percentage,” said Williams. 

Williams added that defending without fouling and limiting turnovers will be important for the Terps going forward. 

Maryland will be back in action Tuesday at Xfinity Center against Alcorn State.