The 7 seed, Connecticut, met 10 seed Maryland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Maryland posted a 16-13 record this season. They fell to Michigan in the quarterfinals of the Big 10 Tournament 79-66. Maryland is led by junior guards Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins. Ayala averages 14.4 points per game. Wiggins averaged 14 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
UConn won 15 games and lost 7 this year. They found themselves on a 5-game winning streak going into the Big East semifinals, where they lost to Creighton 59-56. UConn is led by sophomore guard James Bouknight who averages 19 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
First Half
The first half was an odd one. UConn shot 16 more times and grabbed 13 more rebounds, yet Maryland found themselves up 11 at the half. Maryland shot 52.2% from the field, missing only 9 shots in the first half. They also shot a blistering 75% (6-8) from the three-point line in the first.
While Maryland struggled to miss shots in the first, UConn struggled to make a bucket. UConn missed 20 shots in the first, making just 9 of their 39 shots. They were able to grab 28 rebounds, including 18 offensive rebounds, but it just wasn’t enough in the first. Maryland would take a 33-22 lead into the break.
Eric Ayala had a big first half for Maryland, scoring 14 points. Donta Scott added 8 points. Aaron Wiggins was able to score 6 points and grab 4 rebounds in the first half.
James Bouknight was UConn’s leading scorer in the first, putting up 7 points in the first half. Tyrese Martin was able to make an impact in the first for UConn by grabbing 10 rebounds.
UConn would need more shots to fall in the second if they wanted to make a comeback. As for Maryland, they needed more of the same in the second half.
Second Half
UConn’s shooting struggles were cleaned up in the second. They struggled from the field in the first, making just 23% of their shots. In the second, UConn was able to make 46.2% of their shots. This better play on the offensive side allowed UConn to stay in the game until the very end.
On the other end, Maryland kept rolling. They weren’t rattled by UConn shooting better in the second at all. At one point, Maryland found itself up by 14 points. They knocked down shots and played good defense, and held off UConn from mounting a comeback. Maryland would win the contest 63-54 over UConn.
UConn’s first-half shooting struggles really hurt them in this game. Shooting just 32.3% from the field makes it hard to win, especially when your opponent shoots 51.2%. Another thing that held UConn back was free throws; UConn only made 5 of their 12 free throws. Star player James Bouknight finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds.
Maryland kept the momentum from the first half and was able to come away with a win. They made 51.2% of their shots from the field and made 50% (8-19) of their shots from the three-point range. Ayala built off his strong first half, finishing with 23 points and 5 rebounds. Wiggins added 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Scott also finished in double digits, scoring 12.
With the win Maryland advances to the round of 32 where they will face 2 seed Alabama on Monday.
