Ayala, Russell backcourt dooms Rutgers in Maryland win
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- — Fatts Russell scored a season-high 23 points, Eric Ayala added 22 and the two combined to bury 10 3-pointers to help Maryland past Rutgers 68-60 on Tuesday night.
Not until the end did the Scarlet Knights reduce their double-digit deficit which Maryland enforced most of the game.
Ayala's layup started a 19-3 first-half run that lasted eight minutes. Maryland went to halftime with a 38-26 lead on the strength of 53.8% shooting (14 for 26) including 6 for 12 from 3-point range.
For Rutgers, Geo Baker did his part to try and keep the Scarlet Knights in it, scoring 14 points on going 4 for 6 from behind the 3-point line.
Maryland recorded a season-high 12-made 3s in 25 attempts. Ayala's five 3s moved him to fifth-place all-time in the program for made buckets beyond the arc. Now with 200, he sits 39 shy of tying Juan Dixon for the top spot.
Ayala finished 5 for 9 and Russell 5 for 8 from deep. Russell entered just 2 for 14 from 3-point range n his last five games.
Baker and Ron Harper Jr. scored 16 points apiece. Clifford Omoruyi scored 11 with 13 rebounds and Caleb McConnell scored 11. Rutgers beat Maryland 70-59 on its home court on Jan. 15.
The Terrapins (11-9, 3-6 Big Ten) host Indiana on Saturday while Rutgers (11-8, 5-4) heads to Nebraska for a Saturday contest against the Cornhuskers.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Don Daily
- D.J. Carstensen
- Steve McJunkins
2023-24 Big Ten Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Purdue | 17-3 | - | 34-5 |
Illinois | 14-6 | 3 | 29-9 |
Nebraska | 12-8 | 5 | 23-11 |
Northwestern | 12-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
Wisconsin | 11-9 | 6 | 22-14 |
Indiana | 10-10 | 7 | 19-14 |
Michigan State | 10-10 | 7 | 20-15 |
Iowa | 10-10 | 7 | 19-15 |
Ohio State | 9-11 | 8 | 22-14 |
Minnesota | 9-11 | 8 | 19-15 |
Penn State | 9-11 | 8 | 16-17 |
Maryland | 7-13 | 10 | 16-17 |
Rutgers | 7-13 | 10 | 15-17 |
Michigan | 3-17 | 14 | 8-24 |