Terps bounce back for consolation in classic

Cowan scores 21, Jackson nets 16 to pace Maryland

NICEVILLE, FLA. — A heartbreaking loss the day before lit a fire under Maryland’s players, who responded with a scorching 27-3 run to open their next game against New Mexico.

Anthony Cowan led the way with 21 points as the Terps topped the Lobos 80-65 in the Emerald Coast Classic consolation game Saturday at Northwest Florida State College.

Maryland (5-1) got back on the winning track in a big way after a two-point semifinal loss Friday to St. Bonaventure.

“We were kind of upset about yesterday,” Cowan said. “I think we played with a lot of energy.”

Maryland coach Mark Turgeon was pleased with the way his players TV: responded but said the win doesn’t make up for losing the night before.

“We’re used to winning close games,” Turgeon said. “We had the lead twice in the second half (against the Bonnies) and let it go, but we moved on.”

It was more heartache, though, for the Lobos (2-4) who suffered their fourth straight loss. New Mexico coach Paul Weir said he thought his team played well after Maryland’s early onslaught.

“But you’re not going to come back against a team like Maryland down 27-3,” Weir said. “There’s just not enough bullets in the gun. Unfortunately, the start of the game ended up being the game.”

Cowan, a 6-foot guard, was 6 of 8 from the field, including 2 of 3 on three-pointers, and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Justin Jackson added 16 points for Maryland, doing much of his damage at the free-throw line, where he went 8 of 8.

Chris McNeal led the Lobos with 19 points and Anthony Mathis added 12.

The Terps sprinted to their 24point lead in the first 8:36. The run featured six 3-pointers including two each by Kevin Huerter and Dion Wiley. The Lobos narrowed the gap to 46-28 at the half but did little more than trade baskets with the Terps the rest of the way. MARYLAND 80, NEW MEXICO 65 NEW MEXICO (2-4): Furstinger 0-0 0-0 0, Simons 1-5 2-2 5, McNeal 6-14 4-4 18, Kuiper 1-6 0-0 2, Logwood 2-5 4-4 8, Pinchuk 2-3 0-0 4, A.Jackson 0-9 2-2 2, Mathis 4-6 0-0 12, Maluach 2-4 2-2 7, Simmons 3-8 0-0 7. Totals 21-64 14-14 65. MARYLAND (6-1): J.Jackson 4-8 8-8 16, Cekovsky 3-4 2-2 8, Cowan 6-8 7-8 21, Wiley 3-3 1-2 9, Huerter 3-7 0-0 8, Bender 1-2 0-0 2, Fernando 2-5 5-5 9, Tomaic 0-0 0-0 0, Obi 0-0 0-0 0, Mona 0-0 0-0 0, Nickens 2-4 1-2 7. Totals 24-43 24-27 80. Halftime — Maryland 46-28. 3-Point Goals—New Mexico 9-28 (Mathis 4-5, McNeal 2-6, Maluach 1-1, Simmons 1-2, Simons 1-4, Kuiper 0-2, A.Jackson 0-7), Maryland 8-15 (Wiley 2-2, Cowan 2-3, Nickens 2-4, Huerter 2-4, J.Jackson 0-1). Fouled Out—Simons. Rebounds—New Mexico 11 (Simmons 3), Maryland 12 (J.Jackson, Fernando 3). Assists—New Mexico 7 (Kuiper, McNeal 2), Maryland 7 (Wiley 3). Total Fouls—New Mexico 23, Maryland 18.