Hofstra men's basketball falls in final seconds to No. 20 Maryland
Hofstra guard Jalen Ray (20) shoots over Maryland guard Ian Martinez (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in College Park, Md. Credit: AP/Terrance Williams
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Ian Martinez made two free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining, allowing No. 20 Maryland to edge Hofstra 69-67 on Friday night and avoid another loss this week.
Eric Ayala led Maryland (4-1) with 14 points but went just 5 of 17 from the field.
Jalen Ray was Hofstra’s leading scorer with 18 points.
With the score tied and the shot clock off, Hofstra (1-3) had the ball, but Omar Silverio’s deep three-pointer was blocked by Ayala. When Silverio instinctively went for the loose ball, he fouled Martinez.
After Martinez made both free throws, Maryland used its last foul to give near midcourt with 3.2 seconds left. Hofstra was unable to get the ball inbounds quickly — Maryland’s Julian Reese knocked the inbounds pass back out, leaving 2.2 seconds left, then Fatts Russell stole the inbounds pass, and the clock ran out.
Maryland scored the game’s final six points after a three-pointer by Ray put Hofstra up 67-63.
Reese scored on an offensive rebound to make it 67-65, and Ayala’s driving layup tied it with 23.3 seconds remaining.
The Pride came close, but lost again in a tight game against a well-regarded opponent. Hofstra lost its opener this season to Houston in overtime.
The Terrapins clearly had a lot of work to do after losing to George Mason 71-66 on Wednesday, and this game did little to dispel that conclusion. But they defended well enough to win and made enough big plays late.
