Terps trim turnovers in win
‘Step in right direction’ for Maryland against Runnin’ Bulldogs
COLLEGE PARK – Like Halley’s Comet or a partial lunar eclipse, a rare occurrence took place Saturday at Xfinity Center during the first 12 minutes of Maryland’s game against Gardner-Webb.
The Terps had committed just one turnover.
“Coach Bino [Ranson] jinxed it because he said we had one turnover at that time and we had more [in the first half ] after that,” Maryland coach Mark Turgeon joked later.
While the second turnover, a little over 13 minutes into the first half, started a spate of three in five possessions, Maryland seemed more under control during its 82-60 victory.
Averaging a Big Ten-worst 17.2 turnovers per game, the Terps wound up with six at halftime and 11 for the game. It wasn’t their lowest number for the season — that was seven against Purdue in the Big Ten opener — but sophomore guard Kevin Huerter called it “a step in the right direction” after 44 over the two games before Saturday.
“Coach kind of got on us after our game Thursday, just saying we’ve got to get a lot better this stretch coming,” Huerter said. “He laid out a couple of things, and turnovers were one of those things we’ve got to correct if we want to be the team we think we can.”
Anticipating that the first question in his postgame news conference would be about his team’s turnover problems, Turgeon said of his players, “They’ve each got to decide they’re going to be better with the ball. I do think we’re getting a little bit more Video: Radio: comfortable in what we’re running. Guys know where they’re supposed to be and what they’re supposed to do.”
No player had more than two turnovers, the first time this season that the Terps didn’t have at least one player with three in a game.
Maryland (9-3) shot 30-for-55 (54.5 percent) from the field, including 10-for-20 on 3-pointers. Freshman guard Darryl Morsell (Mount Saint Joseph) led Maryland with a careerhigh 18 points, while sophomore guard Kevin Huerter finished with 15 points. Senior center Michal Cekovsky had 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
“We all know that in the past, we’ve had problems with turnovers and stuff, but we don’t try and let that affect us and play conservative. We still want to be aggressive and play our game,” said Morsell, who committed two turnovers, one below his season average, in 23 minutes off the bench. “I feel like we’re building a better chemistry over time.” With two forwards out, others step in: Not that it mattered, but Maryland went into Saturday’s game without both freshman center Bruno Fernando and sophomore forward Justin Jackson.
Fernando, who suffered a sprained right ankle in Thursday’s 87-62 victory over Ohio, was not in a boot. He even shot free throws when the team warmed up before the game against Gardner-Webb.
Jackson, who played 19 minutes Thursday despite not starting for the first time this season after leaving Wednesday’s practice early with an illness, was held out of Saturday’s game.
While Jackson is expected to recover in time for Tuesday’s game against Division III Catholic, Fernando will likely be held out at least until Dec. 21, the first game after the Terps’ nine-day break for final exams.
“Bruno’s better today than he was yesterday and I’m sure he’ll be better tomorrow,” Turgeon said. “We’re not going to rush him back for Tuesday night’s game unless he’s 100 percent. If there’s anything good about him getting hurt, it’s the timing.”
Even though the Terps barely outrebounded the smaller Runnin’ Bulldogs, 34-32, little-used redshirt freshman forward Joshua Tomaic finished with career highs of nine points, six rebounds in 16 minutes, one fewer minute than he’d played in the team’s first 11 games combined. Morsell under control and over the top: Aside from a career-high scoring day, Morsell showed both his acumen and athleticism against GardnerWebb.
The 6-foot-4 freshman took just eight shots, hitting six, and made six of his seven free throws. Even more important in terms of his role this season, Morsell also made just two turnovers in 23 minutes.
“Since the Purdue game, he’s really just tried to be Darryl,” Turgeon said Saturday. MARYLAND 82, GARDNER-WEBB 60 GARDNER-WEBB (3-8): Laster 9-18 2-3 21, Niangane 1-1 2-2 4, Turner 0-2 0-0 0, Efianayi 7-11 2-2 18, O’Reilly 4-13 0-0 9, Cornwall 0-6 4-4 4, Jenkins 1-1 0-0 2, Robateau 0-2 0-0 0, Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, Jamison 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 22-57 12-13 60. MARYLAND (9-3): Bender 1-2 2-2 4, Cekovsky 6-10 0-2 12, Huerter 6-9 0-0 15, Cowan 3-9 2-3 10, Wiley 3-7 0-0 8, Tomaic 3-5 2-4 9, Obi 0-1 0-0 0, Tostado 0-0 0-0 0, Valmon 0-0 0-0 0, Mona 0-0 0-0 0, Morsell 6-8 6-7 18, Terrell 0-1 0-2 0, Nickens 2-3 0-0 6. Totals 30-55 12-20 82. Halftime—Maryland 38-24. 3-Point Goals—Gardner-Webb 4-17 (Efianayi 2-2, Laster 1-4, O’Reilly 1-5, Turner 0-1, Robateau 0-1, Johnson 0-1, Cornwall 0-3), Maryland 10-20 (Huerter 3-5, Nickens 2-2, Cowan 2-4, Wiley 2-6, Tomaic 1-2, Terrell 0-1). Fouled Out—Niangane. Rebounds—GardnerWebb 31 (Niangane 7), Maryland 33 (Cekovsky, Tomaic 6). Assists—Gardner-Webb 5 (O’Reilly 2), Maryland 21 (Bender 7). Total Fouls—Gardner-Webb 20, Maryland 15. Technicals— Bender. A—12,588 (17,950).