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 |
---|---|---|---|
Marist | 2-0 | - | 8-2 |
Quinnipiac | 2-0 | - | 5-7 |
Merrimack | 2-0 | - | 5-8 |
Mount St. Mary's | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
Manhattan | 1-1 | 1 | 6-5 |
Niagara | 1-1 | 1 | 5-7 |
Fairfield | 1-1 | 1 | 5-7 |
Siena | 1-1 | 1 | 5-7 |
Sacred Heart | 1-1 | 1 | 4-7 |
Iona | 1-1 | 1 | 3-8 |
Saint Peter's | 0-2 | 2 | 5-5 |
Rider | 0-2 | 2 | 4-8 |
Canisius | 0-2 | 2 | 0-13 |
2024-25 Big Ten Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Michigan State | 2-0 | - | 10-2 |
UCLA | 2-0 | - | 10-2 |
Michigan | 2-0 | - | 8-3 |
Oregon | 1-1 | 1 | 11-1 |
Maryland | 1-1 | 1 | 10-2 |
Penn State | 1-1 | 1 | 10-2 |
Nebraska | 1-1 | 1 | 7-2 |
Iowa | 1-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
Northwestern | 1-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
Indiana | 1-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
Illinois | 1-1 | 1 | 7-3 |
Ohio State | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
Purdue | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
USC | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
Rutgers | 1-1 | 1 | 7-5 |
Wisconsin | 0-2 | 2 | 9-3 |
Washington | 0-2 | 2 | 8-3 |
Minnesota | 0-2 | 2 | 7-5 |