Maryland dominates winless Alcorn State led by Derik Queen's 20 points

In a decisive nonconference game held on Sunday afternoon, the Maryland Terrapins faced off against Alcorn State at their home court in College Park, Maryland. The game saw a standout performance from Derik Queen, who led Maryland with 20 points, along with nine rebounds and five assists. Maryland showcased an offensive strategy that proved effective, shooting over 57% from the field and hitting 11 of 23 three-point attempts. They also excelled at the free-throw line, converting 21 out of 24 attempts, significantly contributing to their 96-58 victory. This win marked Maryland's seventh victory against just one loss, highlighting their strong start to the season. Throughout the game, Maryland appeared dominant, particularly in the first half, where they managed to recover from an early deficit. Alcorn State took an early lead following a 12-1 run in the first half, but Maryland quickly responded by going on a 13-0 run after Queen's early layup. This surge helped them outscore Alcorn State significantly, closing the first half with a 48-31 lead. Besides Queen, Julian Reese and Selton Miguel also made notable contributions, each scoring 14 points, while Rodney Rice chipped in 12 points to the tally. On the other side, Alcorn State struggled throughout the contest, shooting only 31.3% from field goal range and having a lackluster three-point shooting percentage at just 25%. Their offense continued to falter against Maryland’s effective defense, and they managed to convert only 11 of 17 free throws. Despite a couple of strong individual performances, particularly from Keionte Cornelius, who led the Braves with 12 points, Alcorn State was unable to put together a cohesive effort. Given that this game was a part of Alcorn State's extensive 13-game road trip, it added another layer of challenge for the Braves, who are still searching for their first win of the season after falling to 0-9. Maryland's victory not only solidified their home record to 6 wins and 1 loss but also set the stage as they prepare to face Ohio State in their upcoming Big 10 Conference opener. The Terrapins’ ability to distribute the ball effectively was evident, as they tallied 25 assists throughout the game, indicating strong teamwork and offensive chemistry. Maryland's performance reinforced their reputation as a competitive force in college basketball this season.