The Maryland Terrapins and Illinois Fighting Illini faced off in a thrilling Big Ten showdown on January 23, 2025. Both teams fought for crucial conference positioning, but Illinois secured a hard-fought 78-72 victory behind a dominant second-half performance from Terrence Shannon Jr.
Game Recap
Maryland started strong, with Jahmir Young controlling the pace and scoring 10 first-half points. The Terrapins’ defense was aggressive, forcing multiple turnovers and taking a 38-34 lead into halftime.
Illinois responded with a dominant second-half effort, as Shannon Jr. took over offensively, scoring 16 of his 24 points after the break. The Illini went on a 12-2 run midway through the second half, seizing control. Despite a late surge from Maryland, Illinois held firm, closing the game with clutch free throws from Marcus Domask.
Key Performances
- Illinois Fighting Illini:
- Terrence Shannon Jr.: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists.
- Marcus Domask: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists.
- Coleman Hawkins: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks.
- Maryland Terrapins:
- Jahmir Young: 18 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds.
- Julian Reese: 14 points, 10 rebounds (double-double).
- Donta Scott: 12 points, 6 rebounds.
Statistical Highlights
- Field Goal Percentage:
- Illinois: 49.1%
- Maryland: 44.7%
- Three-Point Shooting:
- Illinois: 38.9% (7/18)
- Maryland: 32.0% (8/25)
- Turnovers:
- Illinois: 9
- Maryland: 13
Takeaways
- Illinois displayed their ability to close out games with strong second-half execution, fueled by Shannon Jr.’s explosive scoring.
- Maryland showed promise early but struggled to sustain offensive consistency down the stretch, allowing Illinois to take control.
Call-to-Action (CTA):
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