Maryland opens Willard era with 71-49 win over Niagara
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- — Donta Scott scored 18 points, Jahmir Young added 14 and coach Kevin Willard won in his debut at Maryland with a 71-49 victory over Niagara in a season opener on Monday night.
Willard was named coach on March 21, 2022 after coaching Seton Hall the previous 12 seasons.
Scott was 7 of 13 from the floor and made 4 of 5 3-pointers. It was his 95th career game and he is now 56 points shy of a career 1,000. Young was 5-of-10 shooting, grabbed seven rebounds and had four assists. Maryland shot 49% overall and made 9 of 20 from 3-point range.
Braxton Bayless scored 14 points to lead Niagara. Sam Iorio added 12 points, six rebounds and six assists.
A Julian Reese layup midway through the second half sparked a 12-4 surge, and Maryland led 60-43 with 4:39 remaining. Scott made a pair of 3-pointers during the stretch.
Maryland has won 46 consecutive home openers dating to the 1977-78 season during the Lefty Driesell era. It was also the teams first meeting since Maryland beat Niagara 86-70 in the opening round of the 2013 NIT.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Brian Dorsey
- Greg Langsdorf
- Michael Kitts
2024-25 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac | 7-1 | - | 11-8 |
| Marist | 6-1 | 0.5 | 13-3 |
| Merrimack | 6-1 | 0.5 | 9-9 |
| Mount St. Mary's | 4-3 | 2.5 | 11-7 |
| Manhattan | 3-4 | 3.5 | 8-8 |
| Siena | 3-4 | 3.5 | 8-10 |
| Fairfield | 3-4 | 3.5 | 7-11 |
| Rider | 3-4 | 3.5 | 7-11 |
| Iona | 3-4 | 3.5 | 6-12 |
| Saint Peter's | 2-5 | 4.5 | 7-8 |
| Niagara | 2-5 | 4.5 | 7-11 |
| Sacred Heart | 2-5 | 4.5 | 6-12 |
| Canisius | 2-5 | 4.5 | 2-16 |
2024-25 Big Ten Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 7-0 | - | 16-2 |
| Michigan | 6-1 | 1 | 14-4 |
| Purdue | 7-2 | 1 | 15-5 |
| Oregon | 5-3 | 2.5 | 16-3 |
| Wisconsin | 5-3 | 2.5 | 15-4 |
| Illinois | 5-3 | 2.5 | 13-5 |
| Indiana | 5-4 | 3 | 14-6 |
| Maryland | 4-4 | 3.5 | 14-5 |
| UCLA | 4-4 | 3.5 | 13-6 |
| USC | 4-4 | 3.5 | 12-7 |
| Penn State | 3-5 | 4.5 | 13-6 |
| Iowa | 3-5 | 4.5 | 12-7 |
| Northwestern | 3-5 | 4.5 | 12-7 |
| Ohio State | 3-5 | 4.5 | 11-8 |
| Rutgers | 3-5 | 4.5 | 10-9 |
| Nebraska | 2-6 | 5.5 | 12-7 |
| Minnesota | 2-6 | 5.5 | 10-9 |
| Washington | 1-7 | 6.5 | 10-9 |
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