UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Donta Scott scored 24 points, all five Maryland starters reached double figures in scoring, and the Terrapins defeated Miami 88-70 on Sunday in the championship game of the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off.
Maryland remains undefeated in Kevin Willard’s first season as coach, largely due to an explosive first half in which Scott had 17 points, six rebounds and three assists and the Terrapins drained seven 3-pointers to lead 47-34 at the break. The Terrapins shot 63% and dominated the boards with a 24-8 rebounding advantage.
“These guys have a great feel,” Willard said of the Terrapins. “They’re all big-time players. When you have older guys who are smart and also big-time players, they get things a little quicker than a freshman would. I think they’ve all worked really hard to understand what we’re trying to do defensively and it’s helping us win games.”
Maryland (5-0) extended its lead to 18 points early in the second half and still led by 18 with about 10 minutes to go. Jordan Miller scored five straight points and Isaiah Wong hit a couple of jumpers as Miami (4-1) closed to within 73-63 with 6:30 remaining. A minute later, a 3-point play by Jahmir Young got Maryland restarted and the Terrapins soon led by 18 again.
Maryland’s starters combined to score 80 points. In addition to Scott’s 24 points plus eight rebounds, Julian Reese had 17 points and seven rebounds, Hakim Hart scored 14, Young 13, and Don Carey 12.
“We’re still growing,” Young said. “We get after it in practice, which builds our chemistry a lot. We still have a lot to learn, but it’s good getting the first five wins. We just have to keep going from there.”
Scott became the 58th Terrapin to score 1,000 points in a Maryland uniform as he now has 1,010. Scott also grabbed eight rebounds and handed out three assists. In the two Tip-Off games, Scott combined for 49 points and 13 rebounds.
Maryland has won 33 regular-season tournaments with the last one came in the 2019 Orlando Invitational.
Wong led Miami with 22 points, Jordan Miller scored 18, and Norchad Omier added 14.
Miami’s first loss of the season comes one game after coach Jim Larrañaga won his 700th game.
Georgetown 69, La Salle 62
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Qudus Wahab scored 23 points as Georgetown beat La Salle 69-62 in the Jamaica Classic on Sunday.
Wahab added seven rebounds for the Hoyas (3-2). Brandon Murray scored 16 points with six rebounds.
The Explorers (2-3) were led by the 14 points of Jhamir Brickus. Anwar Gill added 13 points and seven rebounds. Khalil Brantley finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
La Salle outscored Georgetown by 13 points in the second half.
Up next for Georgetown is a Wednesday matchup with American at home.
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