Maryland overcomes gradual begin to bounce West Virginia from March Madness

Maryland overcame a sluggish begin and a closing heave on the buzzer by Kedrian Johnson, topping West Virginia 67-65 within the first spherical of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.

Johnson led all scorers with 27 factors, however his potential winner bounced off the facet of the rim because the horn sounded, permitting the Terrapins (22-12) to advance in March Madness.

Maryland, led by Julian Reese with 17 factors and 9 rebounds, meets the winner of top-seeded Alabama and No. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday. Those groups met within the second sport of the day at Legacy Arena.

Maryland guard Jahmir Young (1) makes an attempt a layup previous West Virginia ahead Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) within the first half of a first-round faculty basketball sport within the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

The opening matchup between eighth-seeded Maryland and the No. 9 Mountaineers (19-15) lived as much as the billing.

Maryland fell behind by 12 factors within the first half earlier than rallying to take a 32-30 lead on the break. Neither group may break free over the ultimate 20 minutes.

A touring name on Jahmir Young gave West Virginia an opportunity to tie it with a 3-pointer. But the Mountaineers couldn’t discover anybody open past the arc, forcing Tre Mitchell to financial institution it in below the basket.

Maryland ahead Julian Reese (10) shoots a layup within the first half of a first-round faculty basketball sport towards West Virginia within the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Young was fouled after the inbounds however made solely one among two free throws. West Virginia obtained the ball within the arms of the man it needed, solely to have Johnson come up quick on the buzzer beater.

In a contest that began at 11:15 a.m. native time, Maryland sleepwalked via the primary 10 minutes.

The Terrapins turned it over on 5 of six possessions and went almost 8 minutes with out scoring. West Virginia constructed a 16-4 lead that would’ve been even greater if not for poor taking pictures by the Mountaineers.

Finally, Maryland awoke.

The Terps stopped being so sloppy with the ball and scored 18 of the subsequent 23 factors, reclaiming the lead on Young’s 3-pointer with 6 minutes left within the opening half.

Maryland led at halftime after hitting 9 of its final 13 photographs, together with 3 of 5 past the arc, to go together with 7-of-7 perfection on the foul line. More vital, the Terps turned it over simply two instances throughout that span.

BIG PICTURE

West Virginia ahead Tre Mitchell (3) places up a shot as Maryland ahead Patrick Emilien (15) defends within the first half of a first-round faculty basketball sport within the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, March 16, 2023.  (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

West Virginia: Coach Bob Huggins got here up quick in his twenty sixth journey to the NCAA Tournament.

Maryland: The Terps are transferring on, however they can not be as sloppy of their subsequent NCAA sport.

UP NEXT

In is final NCAA look two years in the past, Maryland misplaced to Alabama within the second spherical.