In a thrilling matchup that went down to the wire, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights overcame a major meltdown to defeat the Maryland Terrapins 74-71 on March 1, 2026, at Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. The win puts Rutgers in position for a potential bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
Game Recap
The game was a tale of two halves, with Rutgers dominating the first half and Maryland mounting a stunning comeback in the second. The Scarlet Knights took a 19-point lead into halftime, but Maryland opened the second half on a 28-8 run, erasing the deficit and taking a 1-point lead with 11:26 to play.
Rutgers’ Resilience
Rutgers showed resilience and determination, with the team’s offense finding its rhythm in the final minutes. The Scarlet Knights outscored Maryland 15-5 in the last 5:30, with senior guard Ron Harper Jr. scoring 7 points in the decisive stretch. Harper finished with a game-high 23 points, including 5 three-pointers.
Key Performances
- Ron Harper Jr.: 23 points, 5 three-pointers
- Jahmir Young: 22 points for Maryland
Implications
The win improves Rutgers’ record to 18-12 overall and 10-8 in the Big Ten Conference, while Maryland falls to 16-14 overall and 8-10 in the conference. The Scarlet Knights now control their own destiny in the conference standings, with a chance to secure a bye in the Big Ten Tournament with a win in their final regular-season game.
Post-Game Reaction
“This was a huge win for us,” Rutgers coach Greg McDermott said in the post-game press conference. “We didn’t play our best basketball, but we found a way to win. Our guys showed a lot of heart and determination, and I’m proud of them for that.”
What’s Next
The Scarlet Knights will look to build on this win when they host Illinois on March 5.
