Terps Battle But Fall At Wisconsin
Press release...
MADISON, WI – Maryland men's basketball battled at Wisconsin before the Badgers closed the game out late to win, 74-70, on Tuesday at Kohl Center. The loss was Maryland's 12th decided by six points or fewer this season and eighth decided by four or less - the most among any Division I team.
Maryland (14-13, 6-10 B1G) trailed by 10 points at 17:17 in the second half before cutting the deficit to four points with 1:30 to play. It continued to hang around until the final buzzer and trailed by only two points in the final seconds. However, Wisconsin maintained control in the second half with a 33-24 advantage on the boards for the game. The Badgers closed the game with a clutch three-pointer by Max Klesmit and knocked down 11 free-throws in the final minute.
Jahmir Young scored a game-high 20 points while being guarded by Chucky Hepburn for the majority of the game - one of the top defenders in the Big Ten. The game was Young's ninth straight scoring 20 or more on the road. He has also scored 20-plus in nine of 10 games on the road this season.
Young went 7-for-7 from the free-throw line in the game and became the only Big Ten player since the start of the 2018-19 season to have multiple 30-plus consecutive free-throw streaks in the same season. He has made 31 consecutive free-throws and previously made 39 in a row, which was the second-longest streak in program history.
Julian Reese notched 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while battling against seven-footer Stephen Crowl. Donta Scott added 12 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Wisconsin (18-9, 10-6 B1G), who ranks No. 22 in the latest NET rankings, was led by Tyler Wahl's 18 points and six rebounds. Overall, four players tallied double-digit points and four or more rebounds.
Breaking Down the Action
Maryland trailed 9-4 at the first media timeout. Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl worked in the paint for a combined six points and Max Klesmit knocked down a three-pointer. Julian Reese and Jordan Geronimo scored at the rim for the Terps.
A three-pointer by Jamie Kaiser, Jr. and a converted and-one by Jahmir Young allowed the Terps to take their first lead of the game at 13:51. Maryland captured a 14-11 lead at the second media timeout.
Wisconsin promptly responded with a 10-0 run before Young cashed in a step-back jumper to end it. Maryland trailed 23-20 at 6:26 in the first half.
The Terrapins entered the locker room trailing 37-29. The Badgers broke away in the final five minutes to lead by eight - their largest lead of the game thus far. Young and Wahl were the only two players to already post double figures.
Maryland trailed 44-38 at 11:46 in the second half. The Terps went down by double-digits before quickly making it a two-possession game. Reese joined Young in double figures but Wisconsin used its size to dominate the boards.
Wahl converted an and-one at 9:52 to stretch the lead to nine points. The Terps were looking for a few stops on defense as their offense was still effective.
Reese connected on two free-throws to make it a four-point game with under five minutes to play.
Maryland continuously made clutch shots to bridge the gap while sending Wisconsin to the free-throw line. The Terps cut the lead to two points after a three-pointer by Kaiser, but there were only two seconds left and Klesmit made two clutch free throws to end the game.
Willard's Take
"I thought the biggest difference in the second half was that they got three huge offensive rebounds," head coach Kevin Willard said. "Every time we cut it three, every time we cut it to two they got a big offensive rebound and Klesmit hits the huge three to really end the game."
"These guys are playing hard, they're working hard, they have a great attitude," Willard said. "They're just as frustrated as I am that we can't string together some Ws"
Double-Figure Factors
Jahmir Young (20 points) dropped double-figures for the 131st time in his career and the 25th time in 26 games he's played this season. It's also the 22nd game in a row that he's played and scored double-digits. Young scored 20-plus points for the 16th time this season and the 57th time in his career - the most among all active Big Ten players.
Julian Reese (18 points) had the 51st double-figure game of his career, with the junior doing so for the 22nd time this season.
Donta Scott (12 points) tallied double-figures for the 81st time over his five-year career, and his 16th time this season.
Fear The Jahmir
With 20 points in the game, Jahmir Young added to his career scoring total and now has 2,523 points. He is the second-leading active scorer in the nation behind Texas' Max Abmas (3,002).
Young entered Tuesday's game as the third-leading scorer in the Big Ten and the No. 13 scorer nationally at 21.2 points per game.
Against Rutgers on Feb. 6, Young became the sixth NCAA player since 2006 to post 1,000 points at two different institutions after scoring 1,421 at Charlotte from 2019-22. He now has 1,102 points in his two seasons at Maryland. He was the third-fastest player to reach that milestone and the fifth player in program history to do so in just two seasons.
Young posted the 51st 500-point season in program history on Feb. 14. He now has 547 this season. Young eclipsed the 500-point mark in back-to-back seasons after tallying 553 last season.
Young is looking to become the first Terp since Greivis Vasquez in 2009-10 to average over 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists per game. Entering the matchup, Young averages 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and four assists.
Scott Climbing Up Charts
Donta Scott scored 12 points, increasing his career total to 1,632, He's 26 points away from passing Melo Trimble (2014-17) and claiming No. 14 on the all-time list.
Scott knocked down two three-pointer to bring his total to 201, which ranks sixth in program history. He's three away from passing Mike Jones(2003-07) and claiming the fifth spot.
Scott grabbed three rebounds to increase his career total to 836, which is ninth all-time. Next on the list is Tom McMillen (1971-74) with 859 rebounds.
Scott broke the program record for starts by passing Steve Blake (1999-2003) earlier this year. He added to that number with his 141st career start over his five-year career. It was also his 155th game as a Terp to add to his other all-time record.
Scott is one of five players in program history to have 1,500 points and 800 rebounds in a career. He joined Lonny Baxter (1,858 & 998), Tom McMillen (1,807 & 859), Keith Booth (1,776 & 916) and Terence Morris (1,733 & 925) earlier this year.
Juju Beast
Entering the matchup, Julian Reese ranked No. 13 nationally and second in the Big Ten, averaging 10.1 rebounds per game.
Reese is the only D-I player averaging 10 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and one steal this season. In the last 25 years, the only other Big Ten player to put up these numbers was Michigan State's Xavier Tillman in 2019-20.
Reese is one of two players nationally to have over 300 points, 200 rebounds, 40 blocks and 25 steals this season.
Reese is tied for 12th nationally in total rebounds (270) and is on pace to crack the top-25 for a single season at Maryland. Bob McDonald (1960-61) ranks 25th for a single season with 279.
Reese is looking to become just the fifth Terp since 1992-93 to average a double-double for a season. Jalen Smith (2019-20), Bruno Fernando (2018-19), Jordan Williams (2010-11) and Joe Smith (1993-94 & 1994-95) are the only other Terps to do it.
Numbers To Know
1: Entering the matchup, the Terps allowed 64.6 points per game which ranks first in the Big Ten and 22th nationally.
2: Jahmir Young has made 30 consecutive free-throws for the second time this season.
6: The Terps are sixth-best nationally in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.com.
8: Maryland has lost eight games by four or fewer points this season - the most of any team in all of Division I.
9: Young has scored 20-plus points in nine straight games on the road.
12: The loss was Maryland's 12th of the season by six or fewer points.
31: Young has made 31 consecutive free throws. It is his third streak of making 20 or more in a row.
200: Donta Scott knocked down his 200th career three-pointer in the game.
2,523: Young's career points - 2nd most nationally for an active player.
Up Next
Maryland plays at Rutgers on Feb. 25. The game will tip-off at Noon from Jersey Mike's Arena and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus. Fans can listen on Maryland Sports Radio Network.