In a challenging matchup, the Maryland men’s basketball team faced a steep 22-point deficit in the first half against No. 8 Alabama, ultimately succumbing to a 105-72 loss in the Players Era tournament. After a demoralizing 39-point defeat to No. 12 Gonzaga the night before, the Terps sought to bounce back, finding a brief spark in Aleks Alston, who contributed to a seven-point run, Maryland’s longest moment in the game.
The brief resurgence was short-lived as Alabama quickly extinguished the momentum. Following a missed layup by Myles Rice, Alabama capitalized with fast-paced aggression, scoring through Aden Holloway, who cornered a three-pointer from a well-executed transition. This orchestrated play not only halted Maryland’s run but also set the tone for a night dominated by the Tide.
Maryland managed to score the opening tipoff, but an early turnover by Diggy Coit led directly to a dunk from Labaron Philon Jr., establishing Alabama’s commanding presence early in the game. The Tide’s relentless offensive pressure, particularly in transition, allowed them to build a 15-point lead within the first four minutes, showcasing their depth and scoring versatility.
Despite some efforts to rally, including a bounce-back by Coit and a three from Darius Adams, Maryland struggled to find its rhythm, particularly from beyond the arc, where Alabama excelled by hitting nine of their 20 attempts in the first half. Even momentary successes, like a block from Alston followed by a three-pointer, could not maintain pace with Alabama’s scoring spree.
Changes made at halftime showed signs of hope for Maryland as the new lineup, including Guillermo Del Pino and Pharrel Payne, displayed improved defense and offensive flow. However, the damage from the first half remained too significant. The Terps cut the lead to 16 early in the second half, yet Alabama’s balanced attack, with contributions from eight different players scoring at least nine points, solidified their advantage.
Maryland’s rebounding struggles were evident; the Tide dominated the boards, securing 11 offensive rebounds compared to the Terps’ 17 defensive grabs, impacting second-chance opportunities. Furthermore, the Terps faced difficulties getting to the free-throw line, a notable contrast to Alabama, who had been allowing numerous free-throw attempts per game.
As the Terps now have a six-day recovery period before facing Wagner on December 2, this time may be vital for regrouping, especially with forward Solomon Washington potentially returning from injury. There’s an opportunity for Maryland to learn from this experience and refine its strategies in anticipation of upcoming challenges.