The Terps struggled immensely from three in a difficult loss to the Wildcats.
Some clanked off the iron and some deadened off the back rim, but rarely did one of Maryland men’s basketball’s three-point attempts touch nylon. The Terps launched 22 shots from beyond the arc and made just two in the latest episode of their offensive struggles, falling to Northwestern, 68-61, Wednesday night in College Park.
Despite holding the Wildcats (20-8, 11-6 Big Ten) below their average of 74.4 points per game, Maryland (16-13, 7-11) couldn’t overcome a horrendous shooting performance that saw them go just 21 of 54 from the field and make fewer than 10% of their threes. Entering the day as the 12th-worst three-point shooting team in Division I, the Terps managed to bring their season average down from its previous mark of 28.9% by making just a single triple in each half.
The Terps got plenty of open looks but simply couldn’t knock them down. Jahmir Young — who scored 24 points — and Harris-Smith — who chipped in 14 — were the only two Maryland players to hit outside shots. Jamie Kaiser Jr. and Donta Scott went a combined 0-for-9 from three, confidently rising up to shoot without positive results to show for it.
Northwestern’s star guard Boo Buie was for the most part held in check, scoring 12 points, but the Wildcats got key contributions elsewhere. Nick Martinelli dominated in a 27-point showing, and Brooks Barnhizer scored 14 points and added 10 rebounds. Their contributions were particularly important with usual starters Ty Berry and Ryan Langborg sidelined with injuries.
Even so, Northwestern wasn’t all too successful offensively either. Saturday’s game was anything but a work of art, with both teams’ offense markedly ineffective. The teams shot a combined 26.7% from the field in the first half
With just 11 shots falling in the opening period, the majority of points came from the free-throw line, a trend that continued into the latter half as well. The officials weren’t afraid to work their whistles, calling 44 fouls that led to a combined 55 free throws. In the first half alone, Jahmir Young shot 10 free throws, and Northwestern once had eight straight points come from Martinelli’s attempts from the line.
Maryland forward Julian Reese particularly struggled avoiding fouls, picking up his second foul midway through a field goal-less first half and bringing his total to four with over 12 minutes remaining in the second. Although he managed 12 points, he played just 26 minutes, forced to split time with Caelum Swanton-Rodger. The Canadian sophomore saw an extended run of 14 minutes, also picking up four fouls.
Field-goal droughts also helped define the game. At one point, the Terps didn’t see a shot fall for eight and a half minutes. The Wildcats also went nearly seven and half minutes without a field goal in the first half, but to put the opening 20 minutes in a nutshell: that sequence coincided with a 7-0 Northwestern run, helping them build a lead that they held for the final 27:18 of the game.
With 9:44 remaining, a pair of Young free throws brought Maryland within two, but that was the closest it would get thereafter. A late run brought the Terps within three, but the Wildcats ultimately got the best of them on a difficult shooting day for a team that hasn’t had many good ones this season.
Three things to know
1. Maryland’s three-point shooting cost it again. The Terps simply couldn’t consistently knock down shots, with their three-point shooting being the most egregious fault Wednesday night.
2. Foul trouble. Julian Reese’s foul trouble was just the tip of the iceberg in a game that slogged along due to frequent whistles. More fouls were called than minutes played, and Northwestern ended up shooting 31 free throws, making 28.
3. Harris-Smith impressed. Primarily drawing the assignment of Buie, Harris-Smith was solid on the defensive end and looked confident on the other side of the court as well. He made six of his 12 field goal attempts and exuded confidence all game.