Basketball in College Park has been a bit of a slog lately. Honestly, if you’ve been following Kevin Willard’s squad this January, "slog" might be a generous term. But everything changed on Sunday afternoon at the XFINITY Center.
If you're looking for the score of the maryland basketball game, the Terrapins finally caught fire, dismantling Penn State 96–73.
It wasn't just a win. It was a statistical explosion that the local faithful haven't seen in years. David "Diggy" Coit, the graduate transfer who has spent much of the season trying to find his rhythm in a high-major offense, decided to turn the court into his personal playground. He didn't just lead the team; he carried the entire offensive identity on his back for 40 minutes.
The Numbers Behind the Maryland vs. Penn State Blowout
Let’s be real: Maryland (8-10, 1-6 Big Ten) desperately needed this. They entered the day winless in conference play, carrying the weight of a four-game losing streak that felt like it was dragging the season into the abyss. Then Coit happened.
Coit finished with 43 points. Read that again. Forty-three.
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He tied the program's single-game record for made three-pointers, knocking down 9-of-15 from deep. What’s even wilder is that 30 of those points came in the first half alone. It was the kind of performance where the hoop looks like an ocean. Every step-back, every contested wing jumper, every transition pull-up—it all went through the nylon.
The Terps as a whole shot 54.1% from the field and a blistering 52.9% from beyond the arc. For a team that has struggled to find consistent floor spacing, this was a revelation. Elijah Saunders chipped in 16 points, and Darius Adams added 14, but they were mostly secondary actors in the Coit show.
Why This Specific Score of the Maryland Basketball Game Matters So Much
Winning a game in mid-January is usually just another Tuesday (or Sunday, in this case). But for this Maryland team, it’s a vital signs check.
The Big Ten is a meat grinder. Before this victory, Maryland looked like a team that might bottom out completely. They were coming off an 88–71 thumping at USC and a series of losses where the offense looked stagnant and the defense looked tired.
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Key Takeaways from the 96-73 Victory:
- The Rebounding Margin: Maryland absolutely bullied Penn State on the glass, 39–21. Solomon Washington was a beast down low, grabbing 11 boards.
- The Guard Play: Diggy Coit’s 43 points will get the headlines, but his ability to get to the free-throw line (6-of-8) showed an aggression that had been missing.
- The First Win: This marks the first Big Ten victory of the season for Willard's group. It's a "get off the zero" moment that psychologically changes the locker room.
Penn State (9-9, 0-7) is in a world of hurt right now. They’ve lost five straight and eight of their last nine. Even with Kayden Mingo’s 19 points, the Nittany Lions had no answer for the transition offense Maryland unleashed.
A Tough Afternoon for the Women’s Team in LA
While the men were celebrating in College Park, the No. 12 Maryland women’s team had a much rougher go of it across the country.
They faced off against No. 3 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion and, well, it wasn't pretty. The final score of the maryland basketball game on the women's side was 97–67 in favor of the Bruins.
UCLA shot 62.5% from the floor. You just aren't going to win games when an opponent is that efficient. Gabriela Jaquez was unstoppable for the Bruins, putting up 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting. Maryland head coach Brenda Frese didn't mince words after the game, noting that UCLA's ability to space the floor made them a nightmare matchup for the Terps' defensive rotations.
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Despite the loss, Maryland’s women’s team still sits at a respectable 17-3 (5-3 B1G). They’re a lock for the tournament, but this game exposed some perimeter defense issues that will need to be addressed before March.
What’s Next for the Terrapins?
The high from the Penn State win needs to last, because the schedule doesn't get any easier.
The men’s team has a massive road test coming up on Saturday, January 24, against Michigan State. The Spartans are currently ranked No. 9 in the nation and are playing some of the most disciplined basketball in the country.
If Maryland wants to keep this momentum, they can't just rely on Coit hitting nine threes every night. That’s a "once-in-a-career" type of stat line. They need the secondary scoring from Saunders and Adams to remain consistent, and they absolutely have to maintain that +18 rebounding advantage they showed on Sunday.
Actionable Steps for Terps Fans
If you're looking to follow the team's turnaround or want to catch the next game, here is what you need to do:
- Sync the Schedule: The next men’s game is at Michigan State on Jan 24 (12:00 PM EST on CBS).
- Watch the Tape: If you missed the Coit performance, find the highlights. Specifically, watch his footwork on the three-point line; it's a masterclass for any young guard.
- Check the Standings: Keep an eye on the Big Ten middle-tier. With one win under their belt, Maryland is now in a position to climb if they can steal a couple of road games in February.
The season isn't over. One game changed the vibe in College Park, and for now, the Terps have a reason to breathe.