Even though the students are still on Christmas break there were over 16,000 in attendance at the Infinity Center to cheer their Terps on to their 14th victory of the year. Minnesota coming in at 11 and 3, though unranked, still figured to be a stern test for our young Terps and proved to be just that. All five starters for the Gophers average double figures and they were shooting 42% from three point range, having made 111 for the year to date and averaging 82 points per game. They are quick especially at the guard position and second in the nation in assists. Their problem areas appear to be free throw shooting and rebounding which factored in todays game. The commentators, Josh Lewin, former local sport talk host and Jiimmy Jackson of Ohio State fame like all commentators this year were impressed no end in describing the Terrapin team’s play.
The Gophers scored first but Layman hit a three and a steal and bucket by Wells put the Terps on top 5 to 2 at the outset only to have Minnesota hit a three also to knot it at 5 at the 18:37 mark. Two Gophers and a trey Trimble and it’s 8 to 7 Terps 16:50 to go. Free throw Dodd, three Wells and a bucket Gophers and it’s 12 to 9 Terps., 15:35. Wells is up and down the court like a run away freight train and needs to just cool it and let the game come to him. A trey by Wiley makes it 15 to 9 Terps only to have Minnesota go on a 7 to 0 run to make it 16 to 15 Gophers, their one and only lead of the night, 12:06. Trey Nickens, reverse layup Dodd, free throw Gophers, and Terps are up 20 to 17. Three Wiley, 3 Pack, bucket Layman, 2 freebies Dodd, rebound and 2 Dodd and with 7:21 to go Terps lead 32 to 17, their biggest lead of the game. The Terps have hit 7 threes and Dodd is a monster at both ends of the court but Minnesota is not going to go away as they would prove in the next 7 minutes 21 seconds. An 8 to 0 run by Minnesota and with 3:16 to go it’s 32 to 25 Terps. Charge Trimble, Terps are 4 1/2 minutes scoreless, bucket Gophers, Turnover Trimble, trey Minnesota and Terps lead is cut to 32 to 30. Bucket Trimble, bucket Dodd and three at the buzzer Minnesota and the half ends 36 to 33 Terps. This one is up for grabs !!!
Though at the end of the first half Minnesota definitely was the team with momentum going their way the Terpscame out on a mission beginning the second half. Whatever Coach Turgeon said to them seemed to have a positive effect. Bucket Trimble, ditto Gophers, 2 free throw Trimble and a free throw Wells and Maryland’s lead was up to 6 at 41 to 35, 17:15 to go. Three baskets Terps and one Gophers and with 12:47 left the lead is ten 47 to 37 Terrapins. Two free throws Pack, 2 free throws Gophers followed by a turnover Terps, Turnover Gophers, block Terps and another turnover Terps and still the lead is ten, 49 to 39. A bucket and a freebie by Minnesota cut it to 49 to 42 with 9:08 to go. With 7:27 left we had our lead up to 11 at 57 to 46 and following a trey by layman with 2:45 left we still led by 12 at 66 to 54. After that it was free throw time as Minnesota continued to foul to get the ball, not a wise decision considering the Terps excellence at the line. The final was 70 to 58 as the Terps ran their record to 14 and 1 and are off to a 2 and 0 record in the Big Ten Conference. It was great to see the high school hall of fame and legendary Coach Morgan Wooten, his wife and son Joe, who coached Melo Trimble in high school attending the game.
Trimble led a balanced scoring attack with 20 points, 1 trey, 9 for 13 from the stripe and 6 rebounds. Layman had 12 points. Wells finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds and went 3 for 5 from the stripe. Dodd who continues to make outstanding progress in his all around game had 9 points, 12 rebounds and went 3 for 4 from the charity stripe. Pack contributed 6 points and was 3 fort 4 from the line. Wiley had two treys for 6 points. Nickens had a trey for 3 points. Smotryz hit a couple freebies for 2 points. Neither Graham or Cheko got into the scoring column BUT Graham who entered the game for the first time in the second half had 5 really big rebounds.
Minnesota coming in as a good three point shooting team managed only 3 for 22 from beyond the arc thanks to the Terps strong defense in getting out and sticking a hand in their face. As noted earlier the Gophers don’t rebound that well and they were out rebounded by the Terrapins 49 to 35. They also shot a poor 11 for 22 from the charity stripe where the Terps out scored them by 9 shooting 20 for 23. The Terps did have 19 turnovers which has to be improved upon.
A great day for Terrapin basketball as the Lady Terps demolished the Nebraska Corn Huskers 75 to 48 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Both teams start the Bin Ten at 2 and 0. GO LADY AND MEN TERPS !!!
Taters, Terpman2
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