Maryland Upsets No. 22 UCLA, 79-61, at XFINITY Center
College Park, MD – In a commanding performance, Maryland men’s basketball upset No. 22 UCLA, 79-61, on Friday, January 11. Led by Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s career-high 27 points, the Terrapins improved their record to 12-4 (2-3 Big Ten) and secured their 10th home win of the season.
Maryland showcased its strength throughout the game, leading most of the way. After a tight first half that ended with them ahead 40-36, Maryland pulled ahead decisively in the second half, outscoring the Bruins 39-25. UCLA, which started the season strong before faltering with four losses in five games, struggled against Maryland’s aggressive defense, which forced a season-high 21 turnovers.
Gillespie’s standout performance included four three-pointers and four assists. Julian Reese contributed significantly with a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, marking his 29th career double-double, ranking eighth in program history. Selton Miguel added 11 points, while Tafara Gapare provided a defensive spark off the bench with two blocks and eight points.
Maryland’s head coach Kevin Willard praised his team’s effort, noting, "We played well in spurts… it was good to come home to a great crowd."
The win marks the Terps’ largest margin over a ranked opponent since 2008, when they defeated No. 5 Michigan State. Maryland will look to carry this momentum forward as they prepare to face Minnesota next on January 13.
The game will tip off at 6:30 PM and will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network and Maryland Sports Radio Network.
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