Cold spell, late slip-up lead to another loss
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Wisconsin’s struggles throughout this disappointing season were highlighted during two critical stretches in a 68-63 loss to Maryland Sunday at the Xfinity Center.
The first stretch spanned the final 41⁄2 minutes of the first half and led to an offensively challenged UW team staring at a 10-point halftime deficit.
The second stretch lasted less than 10 seconds but was magnified because it occurred with UW trailing by three and with a chance to at least force overtime.
A botched final play, after freshman Brad Davison (12 points) buried a threepointer to pull UW with 64-63 with 10.6 seconds left, sealed UW’s fate. Let’s set the scene:
UW called a timeout after Davison’s three-pointer to go over its options.
Coach Greg Gard’s instructions were to go for an immediate steal, a tie-up or to foul quickly if both of the first two options failed to come to fruition.
Maryland guard Anthony Cowan Jr. received the inbound pass and was fouled with 9.8 seconds left.
Cowan, an 85.1% free-throw shooter entering the game, hit both attempts to give Maryland a 66-63 lead.
UW’s final play appeared to have three options: a three-pointer by Davison, a three-pointer from Aleem Ford, who was 4 of 5 from three-point range for 12 points; or a drive by Davison and kick-out to the right wing.
Davison got a screen outside the three-point line from Ethan Happ and drove hard to the middle. He reached the top of the three-point arc with 5.8 seconds left, with Cowan riding his left hip.
Ford had swung around to the left wing and was open. No one was on the right wing, however. Kahlil Iverson (eight points) was on the block after setting a screen for Ford. Nate Reuvers (13 points), who inbounded the ball, came up the court but stopped well beyond the top of the three-point arc.
Rather than choosing to rise up and take a tough three-pointer from the top of the key, Davison drove down the lane and attacked the basket.
His shot was blocked by guard Dion Wiley with 4.3 seconds left.
“That wasn’t the play,” Gard said. “There needed to be a three taken.”
Cowan tracked down the loose ball in the left corner and was fouled by Happ with one second remaining. He made both free throws to secure the victory.
Cowan finished with a game-high 23 points. Kevin Huerter, who hit back-toback baskets to give Maryland a 64-60 lead, finished with 19 points.
“By the time I got into the lane there wasn’t a whole lot of time to do anything,” said Davison, who anticipated Maryland might try to foul before he could shoot a three-pointer.
“I’ve replayed it in my head. I wish I could have it back.”
Another scoring drought highlighted the first ugly stretch, late in the first half.
UW built an early 18-11 lead and still led, 23-22, on a jumper by Davison with 4:36 left.
The Badgers missed their next five shots, tossed in two turnovers and saw Maryland close the half on an 11-0 run for a 33-23 lead.
UW (10-15, 3-9) lost its fifth consecutive Big Ten game and dropped back into a tie for 10th place with Minnesota (14-11, 3-9) and Iowa (12-13, 3-9).