Recap
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Can Maryland Terrapins' Second Half Surge Against Wagner Seahawks Be Attributed to Their Defensive Prowess?

The Maryland Terrapins improved their record to 1-0 with a decisive 89-63 victory over the Wagner Seahawks, who fell to 0-1. The game, held at the XFINITY Center, saw the Terps dominate in both halves, scoring 33 points in the first and an impressive 56 in the second.


Dec 2, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA;  Wagner Seahawks guard Eddie Placer (7) makes a move on Maryland Terrapins forward Elijah Saunders (13) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

First Half


The first half was marked by a competitive start from both teams. The Terps managed to establish a lead with strong defensive plays and efficient shooting. Myles Rice stood out with his remarkable field goal percentage of 67 percent and contributed significantly on defense with five steals. Despite some early resistance from Wagner, who managed to keep within striking distance by scoring 26 points, Maryland's defensive strategy began taking shape.


Second Half


In the second half, Maryland's defense intensified further as they limited Wagner's offensive opportunities while capitalizing on turnovers. The Terps recorded a total of ten steals throughout the game. Pharrel Payne was instrumental during this period; his performance included scoring 30 points and securing ten rebounds while maintaining an impressive field goal percentage of 73 percent.


Dec 2, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA;  aWagner Seahawks forward Sam Smith (24) looks to shoot as Maryland Terrapins center Collin Metcalf (45) defends during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Wagner struggled against this defensive pressure and could not match Maryland’s pace or efficiency on offense. Although Isaiah Watts did not score any points for Maryland in this game, his two assists helped maintain fluid ball movement that kept their offense dynamic.


Post-Game Analysis


The post-game report for Maryland Terrapins highlights their ability to convert turnovers into points as they scored an impressive 21 points off turnovers compared to Wagner’s eight. This aspect was crucial in widening their lead during critical moments of play.


Dec 2, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Wagner Seahawks guard Nick Jones (0) makes a move to the basket as Maryland Terrapins guard Myles Rice (2) defends during the first half  at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

For fans looking for more insights into what went wrong for Maryland Terrapins despite their win or seeking a detailed breakdown through our "Maryland Terrapins vs Wagner Seahawks recap," it's clear that while there were areas needing improvement—such as reducing personal fouls—their overall performance was commendable.


Looking ahead, fans can catch the next action-packed encounter when the Terps face off against Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on December 6th at 4:00 PM EST. Tune into Fox Sports 1 for live coverage of what promises to be another exciting matchup.


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