INDIANAPOLIS — Highlighting an impressive team effort, Rodney Rice led the No. 11 Maryland Terrapins with 26 points, while Derik Queen contributed a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, as they decisively defeated No. 24 Illinois 88-65 on Friday night during the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
The victory propels Maryland (25-7) into the semifinals, where they will contend against the winner emerging from the late matchup between Michigan and Purdue.
In addition to Rice and Queen, Ja’Kobi Gillespie produced an all-around performance with 12 points and nine assists, Jordan Geronimo added 11 points, and Julian Reese scored 10.
For Illinois (21-12), Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley each posted 15 points, and Kylan Boswell also reached double figures with his 14 points.
Maryland took control early when Geronimo nailed a 3-pointer to finalize a 13-0 run extending the lead to 29-10. Before halftime ended, the Terrapins pushed their advantage to 57-31 with a strong closing run.
The Terrapins’ most considerable margin came with a 36-point lead, sitting at 84-48 as the game progressed with roughly 9:41 remaining on the clock.
**Takeaways**
Maryland: Exhibiting offensive efficiency, the Terrapins secured the ball well by committing only three turnovers compared to Illinois’ 17. This disparity allowed Maryland to achieve a dominant 22-0 advantage in points off turnovers.
Illinois: Competing just days after a high-scoring game against Iowa, the Illini struggled to find the same offensive rhythm, producing only 10 points in the opening nine and a half minutes.
**Key Moment**
With Maryland holding onto a 16-10 lead, Rice ignited a pivotal 13-0 run with a timely 3-pointer, extending the Terrapins’ control of the game.
**Key Stat**
Notable within the game was Maryland’s 17-0 advantage in points off turnovers during the first half. The Terrapins showcased exceptional ball control with zero turnovers, whereas Illinois committed 11.
**Up Next**
Maryland advances to face the winner of the Purdue-Michigan game in Saturday’s second semifinal. Meanwhile, Illinois will await its seeding for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, to be determined on Sunday.
