COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Derik Queen delivered an outstanding performance with 29 points and 15 rebounds, securing a 90-81 victory for the No. 18 Maryland Terrapins against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Sunday.
Dylan Harper contributed 20 points for Rutgers (12-12, 5-8 Big Ten), but the team missed a significant boost from fellow freshman standout Ace Bailey, who was sidelined for much of the second half due to illness and managed only four points.
The Terrapins (18-6, 8-5) bounced back effectively from a defeat against Ohio State earlier in the week, marking their fifth win in six games. Queen made a substantial impact, recording a double-double before halftime, showcasing his skills as the most influential freshman on the floor. Maryland’s balanced offense was evident, with Rodney Rice scoring 19 points and Selton Miguel adding 17.
Rutgers initially took a 14-7 lead, but Maryland seized control for the remainder of the first half, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Rice that pushed the score to 46-31. The Terrapins led 49-38 at the halftime break.
Although Rutgers managed to close the gap to three points at one stage, Maryland quickly restored their lead to double digits, demonstrating their tenacity throughout the game.
In terms of analysis, Rutgers had recently welcomed Harper back from an ankle injury and even celebrated a win against No. 23 Illinois on Wednesday. However, they fell short of claiming another victory that could have boosted their tournament resume.
On the other hand, Queen capitalized on Bailey’s absence, proving dominant inside, while the team’s 3-point shooting created space for his game. This combination was critical in Maryland’s overall success.
A pivotal moment came with Maryland leading 58-54 when Rice extended the advantage with a four-point play at the 13:04 mark of the second half.
Looking at the statistics, Rutgers struggled significantly with their 3-point shooting, hitting only 3 of 16 attempts, compared to Maryland’s 10 of 27 from beyond the arc.
As for their upcoming schedule, Rutgers will host Iowa on Wednesday, while Maryland will face Nebraska the following evening.
