No. 4 MARYLAND 70, PENN STATE 64
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Dec. 30, 2015
Final Stats | Notes | USATSI Gallery
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Penn State men's basketball battled, but could not overcome a late rally as the Nittany Lions came up short in a 70-64 loss at No. 4 Maryland Wednesday evening at XFINITY Arena.
Shep Garner scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half for Penn State (9-5). Brandon Taylor added 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Payton Banks finished with 12 points for the Nittany Lions, who have lost two of their past three games.
After Maryland trailed by 8 at the half, a pair of dunks by Stone capped a 10-2 run and tied the game at 33. The Terrapins, though, continued to struggle with their shooting and Penn State took advantage.
A pair of free throws by Josh Reaves and a dunk by Donovon Jack gave the Nittany Lions a 55-45 lead with 7:58 left.
Maryland pulled to within 60-55 on a 3-pointer by Trimble and free throw by Stone with 5:18 remaining. The Terps got a stop and another dunk by Stone cut the margin to 3, forcing Penn State to call a timeout.
Diamond Stone had several thunderous dunks, made key free throws and was an all-around force on his way to a record-setting performance.
Stone scored 39 points, the most-ever by a Maryland freshman, and had 12 rebounds, leading the fourth-ranked Terrapins to a 70-64 victory over Penn State in their Big Ten opener Wednesday night. Stone also set a program-record with 19 free throws on 25 attempts.
''I don't pay too much mind to it,'' Stone said about the records. ''I knew I was in the zone, but I wasn't aware of any points or records. We're trying to win the Big Ten and this is the first game. It means a lot to get this first win.''
Robert Carter had another dominant performance and finished with 11 points for Maryland (12-1). Melo Trimble, the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year, shook off a slow start and had 10 points for the Terrapins, who extended their winning streak to six games.
''I think Diamond likes the bright lights, the stage, he likes to be challenged,'' Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said. ''We were extremely challenged today. He had 39 points and 12 rebounds, but when I watch the tape, I will probably be most pleased with his defense.''
Another 3-pointer by Trimble tied the game again at 60 with 3:49 remaining and gave the Terps the momentum. Stone made four straight free throws for a 66-62 cushion with just over a minute left. A 3-pointer by Carter with 31 seconds remaining sealed the victory.
''I shoot so many shots so it was never a thought in my mind that I was going to miss it,'' Carter said. ''Thank God I made it.''
Maryland won the rebound battle, 41-31.
A layup by Taylor gave Penn State its first lead, 14-12, with 10:29 left in the half. The Terrapins struggled and a dunk by Stone ended a drought of 13 straight missed field goals, pulling them to within 18-15 with 5:35 left.
The Nittany Lions remained in control and a pair of free throws by Garner in the closing seconds provided a 31-23 lead at the break. Maryland was just 6 of 24 (25 percent)-its worst half of shooting this season.
''We had them down, but we need to learn how to put teams away,'' Penn State coach Pat Chambers said. ''Maryland showed why they're ranked number four in the country and are one of the best teams in the Big Ten.''
TIP INS
Penn State: Penn State opened conference play on the road for the sixth time in seven years.
Maryland: The Terrapins extended their winning streak at XFINITY Center to 22 games. ... Maryland entered the game as the only team in the Big Ten with five players who average 10 or more points per game: Melo Trimble (14.8), Robert Carter (13), Diamond Stone (11.2), Jake Layman (11) and Rasheed Sulaimon (10.8)
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
''I think sometimes everybody takes for granted that we are going to win. It's not that way in college basketball.'' -- Maryland coach Mark Turgeon.
LOCK DOWN DEFENSE
The Nittany Lions have held five of their past six opponents to under 38 percent shooting from the field. Maryland was just 19 of 57 (33.3 percent) from the field.
UP NEXT
Penn State plays at Michigan on Saturday.