No. 1 Purdue handles Maryland 67-53 to snap Terrapins' 19-game home winning streak
Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) goes to the basket past Maryland forward Donta Scott (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in College Park, Md. Credit: AP/Nick Wass
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Zach Edey had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and No. 1 Purdue cruised past Maryland 67-53 on Tuesday night to snap the Terrapins' 19-game home winning streak.
The Boilermakers (13-1, 2-1 Big Ten) won their sixth straight, having little difficulty with this offensively challenged Maryland team. Purdue hadn't won at Maryland since 2017. Although the Terps (9-5, 1-2) hung tough defensively for a while, they couldn't overcome shooting woes that have made this season a disappointment so far.
The Boilermakers took an 8-0 lead and forced Maryland to take an early timeout. The Terps managed only 19 points in the first half and trailed by 13 at the break. Then Purdue quickly pushed the lead to 22 in the second.
Only Oral Roberts and Boise State (21 each) had longer home winning streaks than Maryland entering this game, but the Terps went down at Xfinity Center for the first time since December 2022 against UCLA. Maryland also had an overall five-game winning streak snapped.
Jahmir Young scored 26 points for the Terps, the only Maryland player with more than nine. The poor shooting by Maryland was across the board — 33% from the field, 5 of 22 from 3-point range and 6 of 11 on free throws.
Braden Smith scored 14 points for Purdue and Lance Jones added 11.
BIG PICTURE
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) dunks over Maryland forward Jordan Geronimo (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in College Park, Md. Maryland guard Jahari Long (2) and guard Jahmir Young (1) watch. Credit: AP/Nick Wass
Purdue: The Boilermakers' defense vs. Maryland's offense always seemed like a possible mismatch, and Purdue's quick start took the crowd out of the game, pretty much for good.
Maryland: The Terps had some success on the offensive boards but were badly outplayed otherwise. Their offense simply isn't good enough to make them much of a threat to the top Big Ten teams at the moment.
UP NEXT
Purdue: Hosts No. 9 Illinois on Friday night.
Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer (2) shoots during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Maryland, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in College Park, Md. Credit: AP/Nick Wass
Maryland: At Minnesota on Sunday.
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