Freshman Derik Queen hit two free throws with 19 seconds left as Maryland overcame Eric Dixon’s career-high 38 points to slip past Villanova 76-75 on Sunday at the Empire Classic in Newark, N.J.
The two big men traded buckets down the stretch, with Dixon drilling a 3-pointer with 1:15 remaining to put the Wildcats ahead 73-72 before Queen answered in the paint to bump the Terrapins back up by one.
Dixon came through again, slithering to the rim and finishing with his right hand for a 75-74 lead with 28 seconds left. Queen was fouled near the hoop on Maryland’s ensuing possession and sank both free throws with 19 seconds to play.
Villanova had two good looks from 3-point range on its last possession, but Tyler Perkins missed from the top of the key and Dixon misfired in front of his bench in the left corner at the buzzer.
Dixon finished 15-of-29 from the floor and 5-of-11 from 3-point range for the Wildcats (3-4), who led 40-28 at halftime. Perkins finished with seven points and six rebounds and Jhamir Brickus scored 11 points with four of the Wildcats’ nine assists.
Queen ended up with 22 points, 18 of which came in the second half, and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Terrapins (5-1). Julian Resse bundled 18 points with 10 boards, Rodney Rice chipped in 16 points and Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 12.
Maryland went up 57-55 with 8:46 remaining when Queen nailed a one-legged fadeaway from the left elbow with Dixon in his face. Queen drew another roar from the crowd with a baby hook that capped a 9-0 run.
Villanova responded with seven straight points, the last five from Dixon, to slide ahead 62-59 and set up a back-and-forth final 6 1/2 minutes before Queen’s decisive free throws.
Maryland finished 14 of 19 from the line, while the Wildcats went 8 of 9.
Dixon wasted no time settling in for Villanova, hitting two threes en route to 10 quick points as the Wildcats raced ahead 15-5. He added two more triples and finished the first half with 22 points. Reese led the Terrapins with 11 points before halftime.
–Field Level Media
