Short-handed Maryland rolls past Coppin State

Field Level Media|published: Thu 28th December, 21:18 2023

Dec 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Kevin Willard reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. credits: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Julian Reese scored a team-high 18 points to lead the Maryland Terrapins to a 75-53 victory over Coppin State on Thursday night in College Park, Md.

Maryland was missing its leading scorer Jahmir Young, who was out with an illness. Young's replacement at point guard, Jahari Long, tallied a career-high 15 points and Donta Scott added 12 points as the Terrapins (9-4) captured their fifth straight victory and stretched their home winning streak to 19 games.

In his five seasons as a collegian, including three years at Charlotte, Young had not only played 132 straight games, he had started them all and scored in each.

Maryland's offense still functioned smoothly. The Terrapins hit 47.5 percent from the floor, with Reese and Long combining to make 15 of their 21 shots.

Reese also had 10 rebounds to lead Maryland to a 40-30 edge on the boards. He also played a big role in the Terrapins outscoring the Eagles in the paint 40-24.

Justin Winston had 19 points and Toto Fagbenle added 12 points and nine rebounds to pace Coppin State (1-13), which dropped its sixth in a row.

The Eagles shot 36.4 percent from the floor and hit 5 of 12 shots (41.7 percent) from beyond the arc. Greg Spurlock added 13 points for Coppin State.

In the opening minutes, Maryland scored 11 straight points to take a lead that the Eagles never challenged. Long highlighted the spree with a jumper, followed by a 3-pointer.

Midway through the half, the Terrapins reserves highlighted a 12-0 run. Caelum Swanton-Rodger triggered the surge with an and-one slam. Noah Batchelor added a 3-pointer during the run that put Maryland up 28-9.

Long's driving layup in the closing seconds of the half gave Maryland a 38-18 lead at the break.

Scott and Long opened the second half with 3-pointers and a few minutes later, Reese dunked twice as Maryland stretched its lead to 50-22, matching its largest of the night.

Coppin State's best stretch came midway through the half as it scored 10 straight points, with six coming from Fagbenle, as it sliced the deficit to 57-39 before Maryland regained control.

- Field Level Media

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