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Maryland’s Derik Queen Delivers Buzzer-Beater to Advance to Sweet 16
In a nail-biting NCAA tournament clash, Derik Queen’s last-second fadeaway jumper secured Maryland’s victory over Colorado State, propelling the Terrapins to the Sweet 16 for the first time in seven years.
In an electrifying second-round NCAA tournament game held in Seattle, Maryland’s Derik Queen emerged as the hero, hitting a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to clinch a 72-71 victory over Colorado State on Sunday. The upset bid fell short for the Rams, who were vying to become the lowest-seeded team to progress this March Madness. With this win, Maryland now moves on to face Florida, the top seed in the West Region, in San Francisco.
Game Highlights
- Maryland advanced to the Sweet 16 after a close 72-71 win against Colorado State.
- Derik Queen scored 17 points, leading the fourth-seeded Terrapins.
- Jalen Lake scored a crucial 3-pointer for the Rams just before Queen’s winning shot.
- Maryland overcame a 12-point deficit in the first half to secure the victory.
Key Performers
Queen’s heroics highlighted his impressive performance:
- Queen: 17 points
- Rodney Rice: 16 points
- Julian Reese: 15 points and 11 rebounds
- Nique Clifford led Colorado State with 21 points
- Lake added 13 points for the Rams
Turning Point of the Game
Maryland’s head coach, Kevin Willard, called a timeout with just 3.6 seconds left, strategizing for a final play. Queen received the inbounds pass, drove left, and quickly elevated over two defenders to score just as time expired, cementing the Terrapins’ victory.
Coach’s Perspective
After the game, Coach Willard expressed mixed emotions as he celebrated the win while acknowledging his past frustrations with the program. This marks Willard’s first Sweet 16 appearance with Maryland, following previous trips with Seton Hall.
Next Steps for Maryland
With this victory, the Terrapins (27-8) are set to face off against Florida in the upcoming regional semifinals. Coach Willard will look to build on this momentum in pursuit of advancing further in the tournament.
Maryland’s road to the Sweet 16 included fighting back from a seven-point deficit at halftime and leveraging their height advantage to control the game down the stretch. The team showcased resilience, turning the game around in the second half after trailing significantly.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Maryland’s thrilling victory not only illustrates their potential in the tournament but also highlights the opportunities created by young stars like Derik Queen. Fans eagerly await to see how far the Terrapins can go this March Madness.
Keywords: Maryland Terrapins, Derik Queen, NCAA tournament, Sweet 16, buzzer-beater, college basketball
Hashtags: #MarchMadness #NCAABasketball #DerikQueen #MarylandTerrapins #Sweet16
