Maryland Mens Basketball falls short in 78

Despite a 30-point effort from Andre Mills, Maryland fell 78–72 to No. 11 Illinois Sunday evening at Xfinity Center.

The defeat dropped Maryland to 11-20 overall (4-16 Big Ten), while Illinois improved to 24-7 (15-5 Big Ten).

Mills carried the Terrapins offensively throughout the afternoon, finishing 10-for-18 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. He also had four rebounds and three assists.

“The team we are today was not the team that started out in November at all,” Mills said. “From personnel, players, coaches, maturity we have all grown so much. Regardless of the record we will all remember this forever.”

Illinois entered the game with one of the nation’s most efficient offenses. This matchup was a daunting task for the Terps in what has been a very subpar season, something Maryland Head Coach Buzz Williams emphasized after the game.

“They shoot high-value shots,” Williams said. “They’re No. 1 in the country in offensive efficiency. No. 1 in the Big Ten in offensive rebound percentage. They don’t turn the ball over, and they shoot more threes than anybody.”

The Illini controlled the game inside, outscoring Maryland 42-20 in the paint while also taking advantage of second-chance opportunities.

Maryland started the game with energy, aggressively crashing the boards and matching Illinois possession for possession early. After the teams traded baskets through the opening minutes, Solomon Washington knocked down a three-pointer to give the Terrapins their first lead at 12-9.

The back-and-forth pace continued for most of the first half. Elijah Saunders and David Coit each hit key three-pointers to keep Maryland in front and Illinois responded with timely scoring inside from their big men.

Illinois forward David Mirkovic proved difficult to contain in the paint, finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Fighting Illini.

Illinois eventually took control late in the half, carrying a lead into halftime after converting on second-chance opportunities near the rim.

Mills quickly sparked Maryland to start the second half, drilling a 3-pointer on the Terrapins’ first possession. The junior guard continued to pace the offense, reaching 19 points midway through the half as the teams traded baskets in a tightly contested game.

One of the loudest moments of the afternoon came midway through the second half when Mills recorded a steal and immediately pushed the ball ahead to Isaiah Watts for a layup that tied the game at 59, igniting the crowd at Xfinity Center.

But Illinois answered once again by leaning on its interior scoring and free throws. The Illini built a 72-66 lead with a little over three minutes remaining, forcing Maryland to play from behind in the closing minutes.

Maryland made one final push late. Mills cut the deficit to 72-70 with a driving layup with just over a minute remaining after the Terrapins forced a defensive stop.

However, a replay review overturned what initially appeared to be another Maryland stop, and Illinois capitalized on the following possession to extend its lead.

Maryland had a chance to tie up the game in the final seconds, but was forced to shoot a contested three-point attempt from Mills after a very questionable timeout usage by Maryland’s head coach with 9 seconds left on the shot clock.

Williams justified the timeout after the game by explaining he was very frustrated that Ejliah Saunders didn’t shoot a 3-pointer earlier in the possession to take the lead. Williams wanted to draw up a play that ultimately didn’t work.

Illinois sealed the win at the free-throw line.

Darius Adams added 14 points off the bench for Maryland, while Coit finished with 10 points.