Watch: Derik Queen hits buzzer-beater vs. Colorado State

Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning shot against the Colorado State Rams at Climate Pledge Arena. Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Watch: Maryland's Derik Queen hits buzzer-beater vs. Colorado State to avoid upset

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Mar 23, 2025 9:45 PM ET

It took 49 games across four days, but fans finally got the first buzzer-beater of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

On Sunday, down by one point with less than five seconds remaining, No. 4 seed Maryland needed one last play to avoid being upset by No. 12 seed Colorado State.

Terrapins freshman Derik Queen took the ball off the inbound pass and marched right down the lane for a clutch fadeaway floater at the buzzer for the 72-71 victory.

MARYLAND MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TERPS WIN IT! pic.twitter.com/NO0UozXVyj
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 24, 2025

It was a heartbreaking way to go out for the scrappy Rams, who actually took the lead with their last bucket — a three-point shot with six seconds remaining in regulation.

SO CLUTCH! COLORADO STATE FOR THE LEAD!!!! pic.twitter.com/kFkWdtbrvc
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 24, 2025

But Maryland wasn't about to lose at the last second again. The team lost four games this season on buzzer-beaters including the Big Ten Conference semifinal to Michigan.

"I think we were finally due for us to have one," head coach Kevin Willard told sideline reporter Andy Katz immediately after the game.

The Terrapins are advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016, just their second appearance in the last 25 years. They'll face No. 1 seed Florida on Thursday at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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