Prior to the game there was good news and bad news, the good news was that Evan Smotryz is back and the bad that Dez Wells will be out about four weeks with a broken bone in his wrist. He supposedly broke it at about the 18 minute mark of the previous game which probably explains his sorry 5 for 20 shooting in the Iowa State game. We will miss Dez’s rebounding, scoring and all around hustle for sure but I think we have the talent on this team to hang in there until he is back though at times during tonight’s game it didn’t appear that to be the case. A couple games ago with Smotryz’s upcoming return there was concern by some about how Coach Turgeon would be able to work him into the lineup. For now that question is at least answered. I though he played well with the exception of a couple ill advised shots, one which got him a seat on the bench.
Trimble, who else, hit the first bucket of the game, a three and it appeared we were off and running. It was tied at 5 four minutes in when a nice follow by Graham and a layup by Layman made it 9 to 5 Terps with 15.00 to go. A slam by Layman off a nice feed from Trimble and a three by Monmouth’s Jones made it 11 to 8 Terps. After a timeout Smotryz, Cheko and Nickens, instant offense were in. Cheko hit a short one hander, Trimble and Nickens hit a couple of three’s and the Terps were on a 8 to 0 run and it was 19 to 8 Terps. At that point Dan Bonner remarked that the Terps looked like a well oiled machine and I tended to agree with him. Litlle did we know what lay ahead for Terp fans. With 8:20 to go following a bucket by Nickens, assist Smotryz it was 21 to 12 Terps. Cheko though certainly not yet polished is showing that he can handle the ball well for a big man. A neat bucket by Wiley, using the left hand and a bucket by Mommouth and it was 23 to 14 Terps 6:15 left in 1st half. A long three and 2 free throws by Trimble made it 28 to 14 Terps, 3:17 left.Two free throws by Layman and 2 by Monmouth and it was 30 t0 16 Terps, 1:25 left. Three by Monmouth, 2 free throws Smotryz makes it 32 to19, 30.2 left. Monmouth hits a 3 at the buzzer, 32 to 22 Terps !!! The commentators were gushing over the play of Trimble.
Two by Monmouth, back door layup by Trimble and 2 free throws by Monmouth and at the 17:30 mark it was 34 to 26 Terrapins. Trimble to the bench with his 2nd foul. Cheko hits a nice turn around, Monmouth nails two buckets 36 to 30 and Trimble is back in, 16:12 left. Bucket by Layman, free throw Monmouth and free throw Layman, 39 to 31 Terps. Smotryz takes a bad shot and he heads to the bench. Two buckets Monmouth and it is 39 to 35 Terps, 12:00 left. Terps call timeout !!! Turnover Terps, free throw Monmouth, 39 to 36 Terps. Long NBA three by Layman, 42 to 36 Terps, Trimble out 3 fouls 8:18 to go. With 4:40 left following another NBA three by Nickens and the Terps had the lead up to 10. With 3:47 left the Terps still had a 53 to 48 lead. It is about to get hairy, Offensive foul sends Trimble to the bench at the 1:24 mark. Three by Monmouth, 53 to 51 Terps Trimble back in and with 47 seconds left is fouled from behind, could have went either way. Trimble makes 2 from the line, 55 to 51 Terps, Monmouth hits a three 55 to 54 Terps, 37.4 left. Trimble fouled, makes 2, 57 to 54 Terrapins, 34.7 to go. Monmouth hits a duece, 57 to 56 Terps, Trimble fouled, makes 2, 59 to 56 Terps, 17.1 left, Monmouth misses Trimble rebounds and is fouled, makes both, TERPS WIN 61 to 56. YIKES !!! Melo scored the last 8 points !!! Monmouth though a team we should beat is not an automatic win by any means and I think they will prove that before this season is over. They recently had a 16 point lead over West Virginia with 18 minutes to go only to lose.
Trimble finished with 24 points, 13 of 14 from the free throw line, Layman had 14 points, 5 of 6 free throws, Graham 4 points and another hustling effort. Cheko had 4 points, Wiley had 3, Nickens, instant offense 8, Smotryz had 4 points and 4 boards. The Terps continued their terrific free throw shooting going 21 for 26.
Trust me, last years team would not have won this game. The Terps played tough defense and hustled all the way. Made some mistakes yes but they are improving with every outing. Stick with them.
Taters, Terpman 2
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