The Maryland Terrapins are catching fire at the right time. Eric Ayala scored a game-high 22 points, making 13-of-13 free throws, as the Terrapins dominated Michigan State for an impressive 73-55 win Sunday in College Park, Maryland.
The win is Maryland’s fifth straight. Only first-place Michigan has a longer win streak in the Big Ten Conference. Maryland started the season 1-5 in the Big Ten. They were 4-9 through the first week of February.
However, a lightened schedule in the nation’s toughest conference along with better play on both ends of the floor and head coach Mark Turgeon has his team looking towards the NCAA Tournament.
Sunday’s game between Michigan State and Maryland presented a battle of two bubble teams. Maryland understood the moment from the get-go, jumping out to a 11-0 lead. They never looked back.
The Terrapins put on a relentless defensive display. Maryland did a great job guarding and protecting the three-point line, holding the Spartans to 8-of-28 (28.6%) shooting from three. Maryland, then, used their athleticism to corral the paint.
Michigan State made stops in the second half to calm down the Terrapins offense. But Tom Izzo’s team couldn’t figure out Maryland’s defense.
Joshua Langford led Michigan State with 12 points. But he was 3-of-13 shooting from the field. Aaron Henry had 11 but was 4-of-16 from the field, including 0-of-4 from three.
During their win streak, Maryland has beaten Rutgers, Nebraska (twice), Minnesota and now Michigan State. The Terrapins have allowed 58.8 points per game, while scoring 71.2 during the win streak.
In a league that could get as many as nine bids to the NCAA Tournament, Maryland has separated from the bubble pack of the conference. Michigan State had won three straight, including wins over two top-five ranked teams this week in Ohio State and Illinois.
Sunday’s win moves Maryland in a tie for seventh with Rutgers, who is also 9-9 in conference play. With a trip to Northwestern and a home game against Penn State left on the slate, the Terrapins have an opportunity to move up the seeding line in the conference and off the bubble of the NCAA tournament.
