Indiana Nabs Second-Straight Road Victory in Maryland

Saturday, January 29

College Park, Md.

2:30 PM

Indiana University

16-5,7-4Big Ten

Maryland

11-10,3-7Big Ten

Indiana

Maryland

Indiana Nabs Second-Straight Road Victory in Maryland

1/29/2022 4:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – What road woes?

Indiana has evolved into an away-from-home beast.

For evidence, consider the way the Hoosiers battered Maryland 68-55 Saturday afternoon at College Park, MD. It's their second straight road victory after going nearly a year without one.

It's also their first win at College Park since 1934.

"It's a big-time win on the road," coach Mike Woodson told Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer during the post-game radio show. "Any time you can go on the road and get one, it's huge. Everybody who played contributed. A lot of positive things came out of this game.

"We've played well on the road. We have not had a lot of wins on the road, but we have been very competitive. We're still trying to learn how to win."

For clarity, the span between College Park victories takes into account Maryland didn't join the Big Ten until the 2014-15 season, so the teams rarely played. IU was 0-4 there since then.

Still …

"To win at a place they've never won and pick up a win," Woodson told Fischer, "that says a lot for the guys in the locker room."

The Hoosiers (16-5 overall, 7-4 in the Big Ten) defended Maryland (11-10, 3-7) into offensive irrelevance. The Terps shot just 29 percent from the field. They were 6-for-27 from three-point range and committed 10 turnovers that Indiana converted into 15 points.

IU was especially effective against Maryland's two best players, guards Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell. They were a combined 5-for-24 from the field for 18 points.

"We did a great job on Eric and Russell," Woodson told Fischer. "We were locked in and made it tough for them to get catches, and tough when they did catch it.

"They saw bodies. They didn't have a lot of room to work. That's good team defense. Everybody being in the proper position and doing what's asked of them."

Xavier Johnson continued his two-week run as one of the Big Ten's best point guards. He finished with eight points, nine assists, three rebounds and just one turnover in 30 minutes.

He also was proof that – sometimes -- shooting is over-rated.

Sometimes.

He was 1-for-8 from the field, but 5-for-6 from the free throw line.

Backup point guard Khristian Lander, who has battled knee issues, returned to action for the first time since late December. He gave Johnson a much-needed break by totaling five points, one assist and one turnover in 10 minutes. He commited four fouls.

"Khristian gave us some positive minutes," Woodson told Fischer.

The bench also got six points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal from forward Jordan Geronimo and eight points, two assists and two steals from guard Trey Galloway.

"Geronimo has been positive all season," Woodson told Fischer. "He's had his ups and downs. He was good again, today.

"Galloway was solid, as well. We got production from everybody. We'll need that."

Guard Rob Phinisee made the trip, getting around on a scooter to stay off his injured right foot. Battling plantar fasciitis, he also wore a boot to take off the pressure. His status remains day to day.

Forward Race Thompson matched his season-high of 18 points for the second straight game. He added 12 rebounds, two three-pointers (for the second straight game), a steal and a block.

He's made five of his last six three-point attempts.

"He's been the glue to our team," Woodson told Fischer. "There's nothing I've asked him to do that he hasn't done. He's been so positive on and off the floor. We're benefiting from it.

"He's gotten better. A lot has to do with our staff working with him. He'll continue to grow if he continues to work."

Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis added 17 points and nine rebounds.

IU wasn't rattled when Maryland jumped to an 8-0 lead. It scored the next 13 points, including a Thompson three-pointer and an athletic drive and Johnson's wrap-around pass for a Galloway dunk.

Maryland missed nine straight shots and went nearly six minutes before hitting its third three-pointer.

IU blocked four shots in the first nine minutes to keep the Terps off balance.

Then Maryland surged for an 18-17 lead. Geronimo scored to put the Hoosiers back up. Lander came in to spell Johnson, but picked up two fouls in three minutes. Back came Johnson.

After a back-and-forth sequence, IU went ruthless on offense and defense. It scored the final 10 points of the half, forced a shot clock violation and finished with a 33-26 lead.

Jackson-Davis led with 12 points and six rebounds. Johnson had four points, seven assists, two rebounds and zero turnovers.

Miller Kopp hit two three-points as the Hoosiers pushed ahead by 10 to start the second half.

Four straight Thompson points, and his three-pointer after a Johnson free throw, gave IU a 49-34 lead seven minutes into the second half.

The Hoosiers built leads as large as 19 to cruise into a week break. It will host top-25 Illinois next Saturday.

"This team," Woodson said, "is continuing to grow."