Brandon Walker for Urban Media Today
College Park, MD— Oregon held Maryland to 27 percent shooting in a 64-54 win in a slugfest on Friday night at the Xfinity Center. Oregon scored its first conference win of the season, while the Terps have now dropped their first three conference games of the season.
The early going was a defensive affair, with both teams struggling to find their footing offensively in the first few minutes, except for Isaiah Watts, who hit a jump shot for Maryland (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten Conference). Oregon then went on a 7-0 run in the middle portion of the first half after the first media timeout.
Oregon (8-6, 1-2 Big Ten) led 19-12 midway through the first half, with Nate Bittle scoring down low to take advantage of the Ducks’ size advantage in the middle with playmaking from Takai Simpkins. Maryland started climbing back with a three-pointer by Diggy Coit and a basket by Solomon Washington.
Kwame Evans Jr. made a basket to answer for Oregon as the pace was even for the rest of the first half, as Oregon led 34-27 at halftime. The key difference in the first half was Oregon shooting 50 percent from the field, while the Tarps shot 27 percent.
Washington started the second half scoring for the Terps with another tough basket. However, the Terps continued to struggle from the floor despite playing solid defense. Elijah Saunders tied the game at 43 with a three-pointer, but Oregon struck back with consecutive three-point baskets by Jamari Phillips as part of an 8-2 run. Oregon initiated a defensive lockdown and gradually gained momentum in the closing minutes.
Besides the difference in shooting percentage, the main difference was that Oregon scored 32 points in the paint, while Maryland scored 12. Bittle and Simpkins led Oregon with 16 points apiece, while Evans added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Washington had a game high in points and rebounds with 17 and 12, respectively, while Watts added 11 for Maryland.
Oregon will play Rutgers on Monday afternoon, while Maryland will conclude its homestand on Tuesday against Indiana.
You can follow Brandon on all social media accounts: @bwalkerdadon
