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Ohio State Buckeyes Come Out On Top, Despite 20‑Point Effort From Maryland's Saunders

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Basketball

(BCSNN) — Maryland dropped to 8–14 and 1–10 in Big Ten play with an 82–62 loss to Ohio State on Thursday night at XFINITY Center. The Terps, who debuted their “Black Out / Club X” theme, used their 11th different starting lineup of the season but were unable to keep pace with the Buckeyes.

Elijah Saunders led all scorers with a season‑high 20 points, hitting three three‑pointers and finishing two shy of his career high. It marked his ninth double‑figure outing of the season and the 28th of his career. Solomon Washington added 13 points and a team‑high eight rebounds, while Andre Mills scored 11, including a pair of threes and a highlight‑reel dunk.

Ohio State (14–8, 7–5 Big Ten) was led by Christoph Tilly’s 19 points. Richie Saunders added 20 points and eight rebounds as the Buckeyes handed Maryland its third straight loss.

Maryland trailed 42–30 at halftime after a first half in which Mills and Saunders provided early scoring and Darius Adams converted a four‑point play to pull the Terps within four. Ohio State controlled the second half, maintaining a double‑digit lead throughout the final 10 minutes.

Saunders opened the second‑half scoring for Maryland, and Mills and David Coit added threes, but the Terps were unable to close the gap. Saunders’ final three with 6:26 remaining set his season high before Ohio State closed out the win.

Maryland shot 47 percent from the field and held a 28–26 rebounding edge but committed too many turnovers and allowed the Buckeyes to double their free‑throw attempts. Coit’s 56 made threes this season rank sixth in the Big Ten.

The night also featured a halftime performance by Red Panda, assisted by Maryland quarterback Malik Washington, and welcomed back several former Terps, including Hall of Fame coach Gary Williams and members of the 2002 national championship staff and roster.

Head coach Buzz Williams praised his team’s effort despite the loss, noting improved offensive rebounding and ball movement but acknowledging turnovers and defensive rebounding as key issues.

Up Next
Maryland travels to Minnesota on Feb. 8 for a 2 p.m. tip on BTN and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.