Thrilling Showdown: Maryland Edges Out Minnesota 77-71 on January 13, 2025

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — — Freshman Derik Queen scored 18 of his season-high 27 points during the second half, alongside Rodney Rice who contributed 21 points, leading Maryland to a 77-71 victory over Minnesota on Monday night.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner with 13 minutes remaining in the second half, granting Maryland its first advantage, 49-46, since being at 14-13.

Queen netted six consecutive points for Maryland, pushing the lead to 60-53. His dunk at 4:19 concluded with 27 points, surpassing his prior high of 26 against No. 8 Purdue on Dec. 8. Queen ended the night shooting 10 of 15 from the field and 7 of 8 at the free-throw line.

Gillespie, coming off a career-best 27 points in a win against then-No. 22 UCLA on Friday, contributed 15 points and seven assists for Maryland (13-4, 3-3 Big Ten). Julian Reese secured eight rebounds along with four points.

Dawson Garcia was the top scorer for Minnesota (8-9, 0-6), achieving 21 points despite struggling with foul problems in the second half. Freshman Isaac Asuma and Lu’Cye Patterson each added 15 points to the total.

Garcia recorded 12 points in the first half, while Asuma contributed 10, assisting Minnesota in establishing a 35-32 lead. The Golden Gophers shot 50% from the field in the first half, including 5 of 9 from beyond the arc, but suffered from 11 turnovers that Maryland converted into 11 points.

Garcia incurred his third foul with 15:34 remaining and collected his fourth foul six minutes afterwards.

Minnesota heads back home to face No. 20 Michigan on Thursday, while Maryland will travel to take on Northwestern on the same day.

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