Stone, Trimble lift No. 4 Maryland to 70-65 win over Huskers
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Maryland found itself in yet another close game, and once again the Terrapins hung on to win.
Freshman Diamond Stone had 16 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high eight blocks in the fourth-ranked Terrapins' 70-65 victory over Nebraska on Wednesday night.
Melo Trimble had 14 of his 20 points in the second half as the Terps overcame a slew of turnovers to improve to a national-best 19-2 in games decided by six points or less over the past two seasons.
''We're a good team and every team gives us their best shot,'' Trimble said. ''Their fans were into it, and it was intense. I liked it a lot. It was a great game, and we expect this kind of game every game.''
The win allowed the Terps (20-3, 9-2 Big Ten) to remain a half-game behind conference co-leaders Indiana and Iowa.
''They played amazing defense on us,'' Stone said. ''For us to overcome that and pull out a victory, it shows toughness on our part.''
Stone dunked off an assist from Trimble to give the Terps the lead for good, 60-58, and he dunked again after rebounding Jake Layman's missed free throw to make it 66-61 with 2 minutes to play. The Huskers were within three points when Trimble put the game away with two free throws with 8.2 seconds left.
Andrew White III had 19 points and nine rebounds to lead Nebraska (12-11, 4-6). Shavon Shields was just 4 of 17 from the field and finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Maryland committed 18 turnovers, its most in a conference game this season, but the Huskers converted them into only nine points. Nebraska was unable to overcome its season-worst 31.8 percent shooting.
''If you attribute that loss to one thing, just (not) capitalizing on turnovers would probably be it,'' White said. ''Usually that is such an easy thing. You get a turnover, chances are you'll get a layup or good shot. That's why this is a tough loss to take. We put ourselves in position to win the game, and something easy slipped by us.''
The Terps exploited their considerable size advantage, blocking a season-high 13 shots and scoring on six dunks.
''Our post guys were terrific around the rim all night,'' Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said.
Nebraska was within 68-65 with 35 seconds left when Shields fouled Stone, an 81 percent free throw shooter. Stone missed his third straight free throw of the game, but he was able to block Shields' layup at the other end.
''I let my team down,'' Stone said, ''so I had to make a big play. I did that.''
After White missed what would have been a tying 3-point attempt, Layman came up with the rebound. Trimble was fouled and shot the clinching free throws. Trimble had made a couple of big 3s after Nebraska had taken a brief lead and gained momentum in the second half.
''You've just got to smile and kind of give him a hug and know he's going to do what he does,'' Turgeon said. ''Finding the bottom of the basket at the start of the second half was big, and he figured out a way to get to the foul line.''
FAMILY TIME
It was a bit of a homecoming for Turgeon. His father, Bob, lives in Lincoln and his niece, Maddie Simon, is a freshman on the Nebraska women's basketball team.
''Great win for me,'' Turgeon said. ''I got my family here with me, who I don't get to see very often. So it makes it even more special for me tonight.''
TIP-INS
Maryland: Stone has scored in double figures in 16 of the past 19 games. ... Jared Nickens broke a slump, making 3 of 6 3-point attempts and finishing with 11 points.
Nebraska: The Huskers were assessed a bench technical early in second half after Trimble stripped the ball from Shields right in front of coach Tim Miles. ... They matched their season low with six turnovers and have had 10 or fewer in five straight games. ... Glynn Watson Jr. has scored 10 or more points in seven straight games.
UP NEXT
Maryland hosts No. 18 Purdue on Saturday.
Nebraska hosts Rutgers on Saturday.
