Freshman Derik Queen stands tall in debut as Maryland downs Manhattan

Field Level Media|published: Mon 4th November, 21:27 2024

Nov 4, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) grabs a rebound during the first half against the Manhattan Jaspers at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Five-star freshman Derik Queen racked up 22 points and 20 rebounds in his collegiate debut as Maryland pulled away from visiting Manhattan to win 79-49 on Monday in College Park, Md.

The Terrapins, a 26-1/2-point favorite, led by just three at halftime before outscoring the Jaspers 48-21 after the break in both teams' season opener. Maryland outshot Manhattan from the floor, 44.3 percent to 27.6 percent, and outrebounded the Jaspers 54-33.

Queen looked plenty comfortable in his first game in College Park. The touted center was fluid in the paint and flashed his versatility by dribbling the ball up the court at times and even attempted two 3-pointers.

He checked out to a rousing ovation with 3:48 left after posting the first 20-20 game by a Terrapin since Joe Smith (31 points, 21 rebounds) in 1995.

Maryland also got 16 points and five assists from Ja'Kobi Gillespie, and Rodney Rice added 12 points off the bench.

The Terrapins had a 50-20 advantage in paint points and a 20-5 edge in points off turnovers.

Shaquil Bender had 12 points and six boards to pace Manhattan, which also got 10 points from Devin Dinkins. The Jaspers shot just 6 of 32 (18.8 percent) in the second half and were outscored 28-3 in transition in the game.

Will Syndor's layup to open the second half closed Manhattan within 31-30 before the Terrapins pulled away. Seven straight points from Queen helped open up a 43-32 lead. Gillespie later scored five in a row to polish off a 9-0 run that made it 52-37 with 14:12 remaining.

Jordan Geronimo and Queen sandwiched dunks around Gillespie's 3-pointer that pushed the lead to 20 with 11:10 left. The Jaspers missed 16 of their last 17 shots from the floor and didn't score a field goal for the game's final 6:40.

Maryland scored nine straight points to build a 16-7 lead before the visitors pulled even at 17 on Dinkins' 3-pointer with 6:58 left in the first half. Neither offense sustained a rhythm during the opening period, with Manhattan shooting 37 percent to the Terrapins' 36.7 percent clip.

Queen had 11 points and 12 rebounds in the first half as Maryland led 31-28 at the break.

--Field Level Media

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