Coach Mark Turgeon didn’t want to rely on guard Melo Trimble at the beginning of the Maryland men’s basketball team’s game against Georgetown on Tuesday night. But by the time the final buzzer blew on the Terps’ 76-75 comeback victory at the Verizon Center, Trimble had taken control.
At halftime, Trimble had five points. But the junior finished with a game-high 22 and converted the game-winning free throws with seven seconds left to lead his squad to victory.
“We just spread the floor and put it in Melo’s hands,” Turgeon said. “He’s the best guy in the country at going down hill.”
Trimble let his teammates take control at the start. Guard Anthony Cowan and forward Justin Jackson, two of Maryland’s freshmen who also thrived in the Terps’ season opener against American on Friday, made the largest contributions offensively. They combined for 28 points and 12 rebounds.
Trimble, meanwhile, didn’t attempt his first shot until the 13:12 mark of the first half — a three-pointer he drained. The Upper Marlboro native missed his following four shots before making two free throws at the end of the half.
But as the second half progressed and the Terps trailed, Trimble stepped up. Between the 2:47 and 1:37 marks of the second half, Trimble scored all six of Maryland’s points to bring the Terps within five. Maryland spaced the floor with shooters, so the Hoyas were hesitant to collapse more than two defenders on Trimble.
Then, with about 19 seconds remaining and Maryland down four, Turgeon yelled for his squad to foul. Trimble, who Turgeon said is the leader of the team, didn’t agree.
“I said go for ball first,” Trimble said. “They were expecting us to foul.”
Hoyas guard Rodney Pryor traveled after Maryland trapped him in the corner. Georgetown forward Isaac Copeland fouled Cowan, and the rookie drained two free throws to cut the Terps’ deficit to one point.
Georgetown guard Tre Campbell then made a free throw, and Trimble sprinted coast-to-coast for a layup. About four seconds later, the Terps regained possession after Campbell stepped out of bounds on the inbound pass. Hoyas guard L.J. Peak pushed Trimble when Maryland tried to inbound the ball to him, and the 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard drained two free throws to give the Terps a one-point lead.
Guard Kevin Huerter blocked Hoyas guard Jagan Mosely’s layup on the ensuing possession, and guard Kent Auslander sprinted off the bench to pound Trimble’s chest and hug him.
“Melo is just good,” Turgeon said. “He has good poise.”
It wasn’t the first time the junior has stepped up in close contests. He’s made clutch shots throughout his three-year career, such as the game-winning three-pointer against Wisconsin on Jan. 9 last season and a layup that put the Badgers out of reach the year before. Even against American on Friday, Trimble led a late run keep the Eagles from recording an upset.
So as Trimble walked toward the locker room after the game, a Maryland faithful yelled: “Melo!” Trimble pointed his index finger toward the fans with a wide grin while giving out high-fives. It was another day in the spotlight for the Terps star.
“He’s an outstanding player,” Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. “It’s not like there’s a breakdown. He’s going to have success. He’s very good in those situations. He does what good players do: make plays.”
