If ever there was a college basketball game won by halftime, Wednesday's contest in College Park would likely be exactly that.
Maryland (7-1) went into the locker room up 33 points after smothering Ohio State (5-2) with its offensive prowess and lockdown defense.
The 50-17 score line was indicative of an unranked Terrapins team looking to prove the AP voters that its deserving of a Top 25 ranking.
AIR TAFARA pic.twitter.com/VSZZst290d
— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) December 4, 2024
Junior forward Tafara Gaparo made an emphatic statement with his slam dunk nearly halfway through the first frame which put Maryland up 12.
The Terrapins didn't look back from that point, letting the momentum carry them and bury the Buckeyes in a 33-point deficit.
The team hit six three-pointers in the first half, while its opponents could hardly get the ball to find the hoop and continually turned it over to trigger Maryland's impressive transition offense.
"Get that guy a mapppp"
— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) December 5, 2024
: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/gAEOSC8TJd
The Xfinity Center was rocking during the offensive fireworks, making it a tough atmosphere for Ohio State to get anything going.
A win for Maryland in this fashion would be a gigantic statement to the rest of the Big Ten that the Terrapins will be a serious force to be reckoned with this season.
The Buckeyes would suffer their second consecutive loss with a tough battle against No. 2 Auburn upcoming on Dec. 14 at home.
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