Maryland men’s basketball played its first game Tuesday since a five-point loss at Purdue on Dec. 8. For about 10 minutes, the Terps looked like a team that hadn’t played in that long.

That changed quickly. Maryland outscored Saint Francis (Pa.) by 56 points in the final 30 minutes to claim a 111-57 win at Xfinity Center. It was the Terps’ highest-single game point total since 2005, and their 15 made 3-pointers was the second most in program history.

“We were a little gassed, to be honest with you. I mean, we hadn’t played a game in nine days, so that’s a long break,” coach Kevin Willard said. “So I think getting back into game mode, guys just picked it up.”

Selton Miguel made a team-high four 3-pointers and paced the Terps (9-2) with a season-high 24 points, 17 of which came before halftime. The fifth-year guard tied his career-high for made field goals and fell one shy of his career-high in points.

Willard repeatedly said that Miguel — who’s played for four head coaches at three schools — faced an adjustment coming to College Park. He’s seemingly comfortable now.

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It was Miguel’s fifth straight game in double-figures after reaching that mark three times in Maryland’s first six games.

“I had a lot of conversations with coach Willard. I had a bad start, but at the same time, you gotta keep going every day,” Miguel said.

Willard brought in Miguel, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and Rodney Rice largely for their shooting abilities, and their additions have all proved pivotal.

Gillespie, Rice and fellow transfer Jay Young all hit three shots from beyond the arc. Each of them contributed to a run of seven straight made 3-pointers.

The Terps finished last year with the third-worst 3-point percentage among high-major teams. They sit in the top third of the Big Ten this year, and each of the three transfer starters would’ve led the team in that mark last season.

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Willard credited the strong shooting performance to his team’s passing, as 10 of the Terps’ 3-pointers came off assists. Maryland’s 25 assists tied their season-high. The Terps had the worst assist-to-turnover ratio in the Big Ten last year, but rank fifth in that mark this season.

Maryland’s improved passing and cohesion have come early in the season despite a majority of its roster being new.
“I think [the improvement’s because of] Derik [Queen] and [Julian Reese] being such willing passers for big guys. We demand the ball to get thrown inside, but those two guys are willing to kick it back out,” Willard said. “Guys feed off that.”

The win was the Terps’ fifth over a team ranked in the 300s by KenPom, with each of those wins coming by at least 30 points. Saint Francis (4-8) entered the day ranked No. 328, with only two of its wins coming against Division I teams.

Miguel and his teammates were asking during warmups how many 3-pointers they needed to reach the single-game record — they finished two shy of that mark, but it was more than enough to cruise to a win.