Maryland Escapes Bucknell
The Maryland Terrapins improve to 4-0 on the season after knocking off the Bucknell Bison, 78-80 at home.
The Terps used a huge second half to comeback after trailing 50-35 at half. The Bison shot 7-10 from three in the first, along with an impressive 65% from the field overall. Bucknell’s defense also stepped up, holding the Terrapin offense to only 35 points in the first. Nothing was working for Maryland on the defensive end, allowing the most points to any team this season in a half. Then Darryl Morsell took over, leading Maryland to outscore Bucknell 43-25 in the second half.
Morsell started off the final 20 minutes with a jumper from the free throw line, followed by a dunk in transition, and then a steal in the first three possessions of the period. He scored 8 of Maryland’s first 10 points and got the Terp fans back into the ball game. Morsell finished with 15.
Bruno Fernando had his first dominant game in a Terrapin uniform, working in the low post and scoring 14 in the contest. Maryland really relied on the freshman to get them big buckets down low and he did not disappoint. Fernando also showed his role as the hype man for this team, showing his vocal outbursts to the crowd constantly getting them fired up. Maryland has two very special freshmen.
Kevin Huerter added in 16 points and was the only real offensive threat in the horrific first half. Huerter would go on to leave the game in the final two minutes, after getting fouled going up for a defensive rebound and falling hard. He limped as he tried to walk it off, but was pulled after hitting 1-2 free throws. Hopefully, for Maryland’s sake, he won’t miss any time. Anthony Cowan Jr. again led the Terps in scoring, dropping 17 points, racking up 5 assists and 4 rebounds as well, and went 12-13 from the free throw line. Cowan Jr. has now led Maryland in scoring in each of the four games this season. Michal Cekovsky, who had started Maryland’s first three games, only played two minutes in the first half as he is suffering from strep throat.
Maryland won a nail-biter against Bucknell, but there is more good than bad shown in this game. Maryland showed they have the ability to come back when down double digits, Bruno Fernando is a real post threat for opposing teams, and Darryl Morsell is an absolute stud on both ends of the court.
Everyone can relax now, the game is over. Maryland won. They are 4-0 on the season.
The Terps get a short, 2 day break before hosting Jackson State on Monday, November 20th. Tip is for 7pm.
