Maryland leading scorer Melo Trimble. (Getty)
Final Score
Valparaiso 27-32–62
Maryland 31-29–65
The No. 4 seed Maryland Terrapins defeated the Horizon League Champion, No. 13 seed Valparaiso Crusaders in a close Round of 64 game in the Midwest Region of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Both teams traded leads in the 1st half, but since Maryland re-took the lead before halftime, they were able to fend off the Crusaders who surged multiple times in the 2nd half. Down three with less than 30 seconds remaining, Valparaiso had an opportunity, but did not even get a shot off.
Another late game possession of ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ in the NCAA tournament.
It was the third time on Day 2 that a lower-seeded time had the opportunity to tie or win the game in the final seconds against the higher-seeded team, only to come up short. Every higher-seeded team in the Midwest Region advanced past the Round of 64.
Maryland guards Melo Trimble and senior Dez Wells each provided 14 points to the win. Wells rebound and put back to make the game 65-61 was the play that sealed the deal.
Maryland plays No. 5 West Virginia in the Round of 32 on Sunday.
Click here for the game’s full box score and a continued recap.
Valparaiso’s Early Lead Erased by Maryland’s Efficient Shooting
Halftime: Maryland 31, Valparaiso 27. Jared Nickens leads all scorers with 12 points. Alec Peters with nine for the Crusaders.
The Maryland Terrapins are trying to become the 3rd Big Ten team — along with Ohio State and Michigan State — to advance to the Round of 32.
Maryland Got Away With Several Controversial Calls Late
From the top angle, it looked like this ball may have been out of bounds, but the ref with the closest vantage point determined it had not.
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Valparaiso vs. Maryland: Score, Stats & Highlights