COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland opened the second half on a 14-0 run and would hold on for an 80-73 victory over Ohio State on Sunday afternoon in the XFINITY Center.
The Buckeyes fall for the second time this week and are now 10-5 on the year and 2-2 in Big Ten play. Maryland is now 11-5 overall and 2-3 in the conference.
Brice Sensabaugh and Justice Sueing led the way offensively as Sensabaugh scored 22 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Sueing added 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting. This was Sensabaugh’s fifth 20-point game of the year and the second for Sueing.
Sean McNeil knocked-down a pair of three-pointers and finished with eight points. Roddy Gayle Jr. played well in his 16 minutes, finishing with six points and a pair of steals. The Buckeyes were without big man Zed Key who missed the game with a shoulder injury.
Outside of the run to start the second half, rebounding was the difference in the game. Maryland outrebounded Ohio State 40-26, which was the Buckeyes’ worst margin on the boards this season. The Terrapins also made the most of their many opportunities from the line, connecting on a season-best 27-of-33 attempts.
The first half was a game of small runs both ways. Each team used early 7-0 runs and the Buckeyes ended the half on a 6-1 run to take a 39-34 lead at halftime. Maryland then began the second half by scoring the first 14 points to take a 48-39 lead with 15 minutes to play.
A pair of Bruce Thornton free throws after Maryland’s third technical foul of the game sparked a 13-2 run that saw the Buckeyes climb back to within three at 62-59 with 6:15 to go. The lead remained three with just over two minutes left when Maryland capitalized on three-consecutive possessions to push the lead back out to eight and sealed the victory.
Up Next
The Buckeyes return home to host Minnesota on Thursday evening at Value City Arena. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. This will be and FS1 All-Access broadcast in which both head coaches will be mic’d-up for the game.
COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
