It sure didn't seem like Maryland was going to win this one. But that's why you never say never in college hoops.
In an insane finish more suited for March than November, the Terps chipped away at a nine-point deficit with two and a half minutes remaining and continuously capitalized on head-scratching Georgetown screw-ups to pull closer and closer in the game's final seconds. Melo Trimble buried a couple free throws with seven seconds left, and a Maryland block at the other end sent Mark Turgeon's crew to a 76-75 win in Washington that had to be seen to be believed.
Two Georgetown free throws put the Hoyas on top by a 68-59 score with about two and a half minutes to play. Trimble then rattled off four straight points, one on a layup and two from the free-throw line, to cut things to a five-point game with about a minute and a half to go.
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Georgetown responded with a layup, but Kevin Huerter buried a 3-pointer for Maryland to make it a four-point affair with under a minute to play. Anthony Cowan made it a three-point game, 73-70, with a pair of free throws, and then a Hoya slipped while receiving an inbounds pass and traveled, giving the ball back to the Terps. Georgetown then committed a foul on a moving screen before Maryland even inbounded the ball, leading to two more Terps free throws and a stunning one-point deficit with 18 seconds remaining.
Two more Georgetown free throws were countered by a quick Trimble layup, and the Hoyas made another inexplicable turnover when a player receiving an inbounds pass stepped out of bounds with eight seconds left. The Terps inbounded to Trimble, who was stunningly fouled by Georgetown and sent to the free-throw line with a chance to put Maryland in front. He did just that with a pair of free throws, giving the Terps a 76-75 lead.
With seven seconds remaining, Georgetown's Jagan Mosely raced down the court and got a layup attempt at the basket, but Huerter stuffed the shot at the rim, saving the game for Maryland and sealing the unbelievable comeback.
The Hoyas' late collapse was almost unbelievable, but Georgetown sure didn't help itself by shooting just 32 percent from the field on the night. The Hoyas did knock down a whopping 37 free throws, though.
The Terps tied the Hoyas in the turnover games (15 apiece) and had almost the same amount of rebounds (35-34, Georgetown), while shooting an ugly 7-for-27 from 3-point range.
Big Ten
Trimble finished with a game-high 22 points. Justin Jackson also scored in double figures, with 17 points off the bench, including nine on three made 3s. Cowan had 11 points to go along with five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
The improbable win sent Maryland to 2-0 on the young season.