Maryland men’s basketball falters to Buckeyes

The Maryland Terrapins fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes 82-62 Thursday night at the University of Maryland’s Xfinity Center.

Maryland (8-14) looked to bounce back following three conference losses to ranked opponents. The Buckeyes (15-7) aimed to end their one-game road skid after dropping their last contest at Wisconsin.

Thursday’s game was Maryland’s fourth straight conference loss, making the Terps fall to 1-10 in conference play.

Following the demoralizing loss, Maryland head coach Buzz Williams emphasized the team’s spirit.

“I have a lot of gratitude towards our guys for how hard they’re continuing to fight and try. I completely 1,000% understand the expectations of the program,” he said. “I’ve got to continue to find ways to do better.”

It was 62-46 with minutes to play in the game. Maryland’s offensive output seemed to lack a clear methodology. Although Ohio State’s defense was smothering, a lack of self-shot creation was apparent in this defeat for the Terps.

Ohio State’s John Mobley Jr. shook his defender for his fourth three-pointer of the game, the dagger, sending an already depleted crowd to the exits. The Buckeyes led by 22, their largest lead of the night.

With just over a minute and a half to play both Elijah Saunders and Ohio State’s Taison Chatman were assessed flagrants and ejected from the game.

The only time Maryland led the game was 2-0 following an Andre Mills layup.

Saunders put in a three with just over six minutes to play, his 20th point of the game to lead all scorers thus far. Maryland still trailed 70-55, but it seemed there were still the smallest signs of life left in the squad.

Ohio State led 26-15 midway through the first half as the Terps offensive production was stagnant, and their defensive pressure failed to cause any discomfort for the Buckeyes. Easy finishes at the rim for the Buckeyes continued to gash the Maryland defense and their momentum.

Ohio State ended the first half on a 12-4 run after a four point play for Darius Adams. Maryland blocked four shots but their nine turnovers compared to three from Ohio State proved to be detrimental for the Terps. Ohio State put in 24 points off turnovers compared to just two from the Terps.

Solomon Washington said following the defeat, “I’m more concerned about the effort, we obviously get discouraged anytime a team goes on a run. We got to stop that. It’s basketball it’s a game of runs.”

Williams pointed to a lack of turnover and defensive discipline.

“We allowed them twice as many free throws, and we had twice as many turnovers,” he said. “It’s just difficult to play with that high of a turnover rate and give them so many points in the broken floor.”

Washington had a couple of big hustle plays in the first half, leading the Terps with nine points and four rebounds by halftime. Ohio State’s Christoph Tilly led all scorers with 11 points at halftime.

By the game’s end, Saunders led all scorers with 20 points. Washington finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Tilly led the Buckeyes with 19 points.

Maryland will be back in action at Minnesota (11-12) on Sunday.