Terps use second-half surge to defeat Northwestern 71-64 on the road
Maryland (19-11, 8-9 Big Ten) ended its seven-game road losing streak Feb. 19 by defeating Northwestern (15-14, 6-10) 71-64 in Rosemont, Ill., behind a game-high 18 points from sophomore wing Kevin Huerter.
It had been over two months since the Terps won their last road game, but their second matchup with the Wildcats in the last nine days proved to be the remedy, as Maryland shot 51 percent as a team and had a plus-six rebound margin to sweep the season series against Northwestern.
Huerter was joined by fellow guards Anthony Cowan Jr. and Dion Wiley in leading the Terps offense Monday night. Each finished with 13 points and contributed on the defensive end with two steals a piece.
The Terps, who trailed by seven at the intermission, used a 16-2 run midway through the second half to take control of the game. Dion Wiley scored seven of his 13 points during the stretch, including a steal and a score and a corner three that gave the Terps their largest lead of the night at 65-56.
Coming off a career game with 18 points and 16 rebounds, Terps freshman Bruno Fernando netted nine points and a team-high six boards against the Wildcats, but he and senior center Michal Cekovsky also had their fair share of foul trouble, picking up four each.
Despite rotating in and out because of fouls, Maryland’s frontcourt dominated the paint for most of the night and made all the difference in the game, as they held a 31-25 advantage on the glass.
Northwestern center Derrick Pardon also had a solid night with 14 points and a team-high six rebounds, and Scottie Lindsey finished as the Wildcats’ leading scorer for the second time against Maryland this season by dropping 15 points. Sophomore guard Isaiah Brown also contributed to Northwestern’s efforts by scoring 11 points off of the bench.
Maryland will look to end the season on a three-game winning streak and finish league play at .500 when the Terps host Michigan Feb. 24. Maryland lost to the Wolverines 68-67 on Jan. 15.