In their first game after an extended break, the Maryland men's basketball team and Maryland-Eastern Shore both exhibited signs of rust. Despite uneven stretches, the Terps secured an 81-66 victory over the Hawks at home. The game showcased both teams' struggles with turnovers and shooting accuracy but highlighted key performances that ultimately decided the outcome.

A Dominant Finish Secures Victory for Maryland

Returning to action after the holiday hiatus, the Terps faced off against the Hawks in a contest marked by moments of brilliance and occasional lapses. The match began on a promising note for Maryland, as they quickly established a 7-2 lead within the opening minutes. Aggressive play inside the paint, particularly by Selton Miguel, fueled this early surge. However, not everything went smoothly; turnovers plagued the Terps, with Derik Queen missing a critical pass to Julian Reese, a recurring issue.

Reese emerged as an offensive catalyst for the Terps, scoring seven early points with his soft touch around the rim. His departure from the court temporarily disrupted Maryland’s momentum, leading to a scoring drought that lasted nearly four and a half minutes. Meanwhile, Maryland-Eastern Shore’s Ketron Shaw found his rhythm, hitting several midrange jumpers and sparking a strong offensive stretch for the Hawks. Shaw finished with 20 points on the night.

As the first half concluded, the Terps regained control, clamping down defensively and ending the period with a commanding 40-24 lead. DeShawn Harris-Smith’s buzzer-beating three-pointer added flair to Maryland’s strong finish. In the second half, despite initial struggles, the Terps picked up the pace, capitalizing on turnovers and converting them into fast-break points. A decisive 6-0 run shifted the momentum firmly in their favor.

Jordan Geronimo made an immediate impact upon entering the game, scoring four quick points. Although the Hawks showed resilience, cutting the deficit to eight points early in the second half, Maryland’s renewed energy proved too much to handle. Derik Queen solidified the victory with a standout performance, contributing 18 points and 14 rebounds. Julian Reese led all scorers with 23 points and added 11 rebounds, marking a season-high performance.

Miguel, who had previously set a career-high with six three-pointers against Syracuse, cooled off, scoring 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. With this win, Maryland wraps up its nonconference schedule and looks ahead to Big Ten competition starting January 2nd.

From a journalist's perspective, this game underscores the importance of maintaining form after extended breaks. Despite some rust, the Terps demonstrated resilience and adaptability, traits that will serve them well in upcoming challenges. The performance also highlights the need for consistent ball handling and shooting accuracy, areas where both teams can improve moving forward.