Tafara Gapare shines with 19 points in Maryland's victory
- Maryland secured a decisive 91-67 victory over Bucknell, demonstrating their strength with an early lead and maintaining control throughout the game.
- Tafara Gapare was a standout performer, scoring 19 points and executing a highlight dunk during the match despite receiving a technical foul afterward.
- With this win, Maryland extended their home winning streak against unranked nonconference teams to 20 games, showcasing their strong performance in the season.
On November 27, 2024, in College Park, Maryland, the Maryland Terrapins faced off against the Bucknell Bison in an exciting college basketball game. The Terrapins started strong, opening the game with a substantial lead of 15-2 that quickly grew to 25-7 midway through the first half. By halftime, they had established a commanding 51-28 advantage. Throughout the second half, Maryland maintained their dominance, with runs of 12-0 and 9-0, ensuring that they led by at least 16 points for the entire duration. During this game, Tafara Gapare, a freshman and a transfer from Georgia Tech, emerged as a key player for Maryland, scoring a total of 19 points. His performance included a notable highlight dunk while being fouled, which contributed to Maryland's lead by 27 points at 89-62. This moment, however, was followed by a technical foul for Gapare after he stepped over a Bucknell player attempting to draw a charge. Despite missing a free throw that could have tied his career high, his impactful scoring helped secure the win for his team. Maryland finished the game shooting an impressive 50% from the field, and they capitalized on Bucknell's mistakes, converting 20 turnovers into 22 points. Alongside Gapare, other Maryland players made significant contributions, with Derik Queen scoring 15 points and eight rebounds, Julian Reese adding 14 points, and Selton Miguel scoring 13 points. With this victory, Maryland improved their record to 6-1 and extended their home winning streak against unranked nonconference teams to 20 games, showcasing their dominance at home despite the challenges faced in the previous seasons. Bucknell, on the other hand, had Ruot Bijiek, who led their scoring efforts with 20 points, and Josh Bascoe contributing an additional 10 points. This game marked a setback for Bucknell as they prepared to return home for a match against Siena. For Maryland, the victory set a positive tone as they looked forward to their next game against Alcorn State, hoping to build upon their successful performance in this match.