Graphic: Scott MacCord/UAA Communications
Final: Maryland 70, Florida 68
Sunday, December 12, 2021 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
MARYLAND 70, FLORIDA 68
MARYLAND 70, FLORIDA 68
WHAT HAPPENED: Forward Donta Scott tossed in a leaning, posting bank shot with 16 seconds left and UF point guard Tyree Appleby missed a 3-point attempt at the other end as time expired, allowing the Terrapins to get out of Barclays Center with a victory Sunday over the 20th-ranked Gators in the Hall of Fame Invitational. Scott's game-winner came after UF, down seven with just over six minutes left, had taken its first lead since the early minutes of the second half on an Appleby 3, his fifth of the game, with 11:11 to go. Maryland answered on the next possession when 5-foot-11 point guard Fatts Russell drove down the right side of the lane and banked in a layup over 6-11 Colin Castleton, who fouled out on the play. Russell's free throw put UM up by two, but UF forward Anthony Duruji tied the game on a driving layup with 42 seconds to go. On the Maryland side, and with Castleton out, Scott was able to take advantage of a defensive switch and post guard Myreon Jones for the go-ahead bucket. Russell was named the game's most valuable player with 19 points, including 3-for-3 from the 3-point line, to go with three rebounds and two assists. Backcourt mate Eric Ayala had 19 points and three 3s, as well as five rebounds for a UM team that snapped a three-game losing streak by shooting 49 percent from the floor, including 8-for-13 from distance. Florida got 15 points each from Appleby and guard Phlandrous Fleming Jr., who also had a game-high 11 rebounds for his first double-double as a Gator. UF shot just 37.9 percent for the game -- only 34.6 in the second half -- but stayed in the game by making a season-high 11 3s. Castleton fouled out with nine points and 10 boards.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Maryland's starting backcourt of Russell and Ayala combined for 38 points, hit 13 of 24 field-goal attempts and six of eight 3s, along with six of eight free throws, plus grabbed eight rebounds. There's more. Read on.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Russell came into the game shooting just six of 23 from the 3-point line on the season (26.1 percent). Ayala came 18-for-62 (29.0 percent). They shot a combined 75.0 percent against the Gators.
UP NEXT: Florida (7-3) enters exam week and will have two of the next three days off before returning and turning attention toward Saturday's date against South Florida (3-4) in the Orange Bowl Classic at Sunrise, Fla. The Gators and cross-state foe Bulls will play for the first time since 2002. USF will play Austin Peay at home Tuesday.
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