At the eleventh hour, Maryland’s 18-year NCAA tournament run was in peril when No. 4 Ohio State was defeated 82-61 by the Terrapins, who advanced into the Big Ten tournament semifinals. According to NCAA.com contributor Autumn Johnson’s most recent bracket projection, UMD is ranked 11th.
According to NCAA.com, Maryland’s 18-year NCAA tournament streak is in risk.After trailing 9-seed Illinois 20-7 on opening day in Minneapolis on Thursday and limping to a similarly poor start against the Buckeyes, the Terrapins’ hopes of qualifying for the conference tournament appeared to be dashed. After 10 minutes of play, Ohio State led 17–12 with to outstanding performances from Jacy Sheldon and Taylor Thierry. Maryland only made two field goals in the last six minutes of the first quarter.
UMD is ranked as the 11th seed in Autumn Johnson’s most recent bracket projection. The Terrapins made a big statement at the last minute, defeating No. 4 Ohio State 82-61 to go to the Big Ten tournament semifinals.
After UMD maintained a three-possession lead for the majority of the quarter, Jakia Brown-Turner stormed out of the first intermission, finishing a and-one finish through Rikki Harris before swishing a three to bring the Terps within one. Brinae Alexander then responded with consecutive triples to restore Maryland’s lead, and Faith Masonius converted at the can to cap off a 14-2 spurt.
With a balanced scoring assault coming out of the locker room, Maryland’s all-guard lineup continued to wear down the Buckeyes. Brown-Turner, Alexander, Masonius, and Sellers—who stole the show with 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists—all finished with at least 15 points. Early in the third quarter, Cotie McMahon pulled OSU to within three, but Brown-Turner immediately ignited another powerful Maryland run, starting with a basket that set off a 21-5 run that, appropriately, ended with an Ohio State technical foul on a miserable night for the Buckeyes.
