In a high-stakes game with the fate of the season hanging in the balance, Maryland men's basketball found themselves down by five points with just three minutes remaining on the road against the formidable No. 8 Purdue. The Terps knew they needed a flawless performance to topple the powerhouse, but alas, they couldn't summon the necessary effort to complete the remarkable comeback.

Maryland's Final Minutes Struggle Against Purdue

First Half Tight Contest

The opening four minutes of the game were a battle of wills, with both teams trading punches and reaching a 7-7 deadlock. Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Derik Queen were the driving forces for Maryland, with Gillespie hitting a difficult 18-foot jump shot under pressure. Meanwhile, Purdue's Braden Smith made an immediate impact with his pace and sharp passing, setting up an and-1 opportunity with a mid-air dish. Smith finished the match with a team-high 24 points and 10 assists, earning high praise from coach Kevin Willard. "You got to give a lot of credit to Braden Smith," Willard said. "I thought he played great."Purdue faced an early setback when Trey Kaufman-Renn picked up two quick fouls, but the Terps couldn't capitalize on the size advantage inside. Queen was called for a travel on a spin move, and Julian Reese missed a floater near the rim. Purdue seized the momentum shortly after, increasing their energy and efficiency with a 7-0 run in less than a minute, sinking three straight buckets and putting the Terps on their heels.

Second Half Back-and-Forth Battle

Purdue came out firing in the second half, quickly erasing Maryland's halftime lead. In the first four-and-a-half minutes, the Terps managed just six points, while the Boilermakers poured in 15, fueled by stellar 4-of-7 3-point shooting. Smith led the charge, going a perfect 2-of-2 from deep. As had been the case all afternoon, the game soon tightened up, with the teams trading baskets and exchanging the lead. Queen took over much of the playmaking from inside the free-throw circle, hitting his first two triples of the season on back-to-back possessions. His newfound range stretched Purdue's defense, creating open opportunities for teammates. One play saw Queen draw multiple defenders and dish to DeShawn Harris-Smith for an easy layup, extending Maryland's lead to five points with 8:25 remaining.But in a game this tight, no lead lasted long. Maryland's momentum was halted by a near-four-minute scoring drought, during which Purdue unleashed a 10-0 run to take control. The Boilermakers held onto their lead, denying the Terps their first win over a ranked opponent this season. "They're a really, really good team. We're a really good team," Willard said. "We just had some breakdowns on pick-and-roll coverage late."

Derik Queen's Dominance

True freshman Derik Queen continued to shine on the glass. On Sunday, he nearly notched a first-half double-double with eight points and nine boards. He was a menace defensively with two blocks and a steal, and even dove on the floor for loose balls. He finished with a career-high 26 points to go with 12 rebounds, showcasing his growing importance to the team.

Back-and-Forth Action Throughout

This contest was marked by 13 ties and 15 lead changes. Maryland led for 17:01 while Purdue led for 16:34 in this hotly-contested affair. Kaufmann-Renn played a crucial role in pulling Purdue away in the second half, going 7-of-10 from the field in the frame. He finished with 21 points and eight rebounds. Reese also had his moments, but was called for his fifth foul with just under seven minutes remaining, leaving him on the bench for the remainder of the contest. He scored just five points.In the end, Maryland fell 83-78, failing to grab their first signature win of the season. But the team showed moments of brilliance and resilience, leaving fans with hope for the future.