Ayala delivers ‘big-time’ plays at end for Maryland
Maryland’s Eric Ayala looks to make a move against Hofstra guard Jalen Ray in their game Friday at Maryland. Ayala’s clutch plays in the closing seconds lifted the Terrapins (4-1).
Eric Ayala made big plays at both ends of the court to help Maryland avoid another surprising loss.
Ayala’s driving layup tied the score with 23.3 seconds left, then he blocked a shot moments later. Ian Martinez was fouled as he went for the loose ball, and his two free throws with 4.2 seconds to play gave the 20th-ranked Terrapins a 69-67 victory over Hofstra on Friday night in College Park, Md.
“Eric made a big-time defensive play. That’s just the type of player he is,” Maryland guard Fatts Russell said.
With the score tied and the shot clock off, Hofstra (1-3) had the ball, but Omar Silverio’s deep 3-pointer was blocked by Ayala. When Silverio instinctively went for the loose ball, he fouled Martinez.
“He took the shot. It is what it is at this point. We’ve got to move on and we’ve got to live with it,” Hofstra coach Speedy Claxton said. “But no, that’s not the shot I wanted.”
After Martinez made both free throws, Maryland (4-1) used its last foul to give near midcourt with 3.2 seconds left. Hofstra was unable to get the ball inbounds cleanly after that. Maryland’s Julian Reese knocked the inbound pass back out, leaving 2.2 seconds left, then Russell stole the next inbound pass and the clock ran out.
Ayala led Maryland with 14 points but went just 5 of 17 from the field.
Jalen Ray was Hofstra’s leading scorer with 18 points.
Maryland scored the game’s final six points after a 3-pointer by Ray put Hofstra up 67-63. Reese scored on an offensive rebound to make it 67-65, and Ayala’s layup tied it.
“We’re a work in progress, but that’s a good team,” Terps coach Mark Turgeon said. “For us, where we are right now, it’s a great win for us.”
Martinez and Russell finished with 13 points apiece. Reese scored 10
NO. 1 GONZAGA 92, BELLARMINE 50>> Drew Timme scored 25 points as the top-ranked Bulldogs (4-0) dominated, extending the nation’s longest home winning streak to 55 games. Julian Strawther added 19 points for Gonzaga (4-0), which has not lost at home since 2018. Dylan Penn scored 14 points for Bellarmine (0-4), a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference in its second season of Division I basketball. Freshman center Chet Holmgren had 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting for Gonzaga, plus five rebounds and five assists.
NO. 7 DUKE 88, LAFAYETTE 55>> Wendell Moore Jr. scored 23 points and the Blue Devils (5-0) used a few smooth stretches in the second half to pull away in Durham, N.C. AJ Griffin came off the bench to score 18 points for Duke. Mark Williams added 14 points and 15 rebounds, Paolo Banchero scored 11 points and Trevor Keels had 10 points for the Blue Devils. Lafayette is 0-3.
NO. 11 MEMPHIS 74, WESTERN KENTUCKY 62>> Jalen Duren had 22 points, 19 rebounds and 5 blocks as the Tigers (4-0) beat the Hilltoppers (13) in Memphis.
NO. 13 KENTUCKY 77, OHIO 59>> Keion Brooks scored 22 points to lead the Wildcats (3-1) over the Bobcats (31) in Lexington, Ky. Freshman guard TyTy Washington followed Brooks with a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds for Kentucky.
NO. 14 ALABAMA 86, OAKLAND 59>> Jaden Shackelford scored 20 points as the Crimson Tide beat the Golden Grizzlies (2-2) in Tuscaloosa, Ala., for their first 4-0 start since the 2017-18 season.
NO. 21 AUBURN 58, SOUTH FLORIDA 52>> K.D. Johnson scored 15 points, Zep Jasper added 13 and the Tigers (3-0) rallied to beat the Bulls 3-1) in Tampa, Fla. Jabari Smith hit a 3-pointer 10 minutes into the second half during a 15-0 stretch that gave Auburn its first lead at 42-40.
NO. 22 ST. BONAVENTURE 68, CLEMSON 65>> Kyle Lofton and Jaren Holmes combined for 32 points in the second half and the Bonnies (4-0) rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the Tigers (41) in Charleston, S.C.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 67, COLORADO 63>> Steven Verplancken Jr. scored 18 points, Marcus Domask scored 17 and the Salukis (21) beat the Buffaloes (3-1)in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
EASTERN WASHINGTON 67, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 64 (OT)>> Linton Acliese III had 20 points as the Eagles (22) beat the host Matadors (0-3) in overtime. Acliese made two free throws for a 66-62 lead with 2:12 in overtime and the Eagles held on. Steele Venters had 15 points and eight rebounds for Eastern Washington. Elijah Hardy had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Matadors.