SEATTLE, WA — In a thrilling second-round matchup of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the fourth-seeded Maryland Terrapins edged out the twelfth-seeded Colorado State Rams with a nail-biting 72-71 victory on March 23, 2025. This exciting win marked Maryland's first advancement to the Sweet 16 since 2016, showcasing both skill and determination in a game filled with late-game heroics.
As the clock wound down, the tension in the Climate Pledge Arena grew palpable. With just six seconds left, Colorado State guard Jalen Lake successfully drained a three-pointer, giving the Rams a brief lead at 71-70. Pressure mounted on the Terrapins, but freshman Derik Queen was more than ready to rise to the occasion.
Maryland head coach Kevin Willard revealed his strategy for the pivotal final play: “I asked the guys, I said ‘Who wants the ball?’ [Queen’s] exact words: ‘I want the MF ball.’” This moment of confidence from Queen set the stage for his subsequent game-winning shot.
Taking control of the inbound pass, Queen expertly drove left towards the basket. Despite strong defensive pressure from the Rams, he managed to elevate over two defenders, banking in a fadeaway jumper just as the buzzer sounded, clinching a remarkable victory for Maryland.
“When Coach drew up the play, he trusted me and my teammates trusted me,” Queen reflected. “I was a little bit nervous, but I was due for one, and I had to, had to make this.” Queen ended the night as Maryland's leading scorer, contributing 17 points, a significant part of a balanced team effort that saw all five Terrapin starters score in double figures.
Maryland's victory did not come easily, as they found themselves trailing for much of the first half. Colorado State dominated early on, leading by as much as 12 points. They finished the first half with a 37-30 lead, with Nique Clifford shining for the Rams, posting 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Colorado State's early success was attributed to their fast-paced game and effective ball movement, tallying half of their assists in the first 20 minutes. However, the tide turned in the second half as Maryland fought back, bolstered by a strong performance from Rodney Rice. Rice, who struggled in the first half, managed to score 13 points after the break, helping to propel the Terrapins' comeback efforts.
The second half was marked by back-and-forth scoring, with Marylands’ Julian Reese contributing crucial rebound plays and scoring his own 15 points along with 11 rebounds, marking his 1,000th career rebound.
The teams traded baskets in the final minutes, setting the stage for Queen's dramatic game-winner. Colorado State's chances hinged on their strong performance from Clifford and Lake, who combined for 34 points, but ultimately fell short of their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1969.
Nico Medved, Colorado State's coach, acknowledged the heartache of the defeat: “I thought we defended that last play pretty well. It’s about all we could ask for, and he made a freaking unbelievable shot.”
Maryland's impressive win put them on the road to face the number one seed, Florida Gators, in the Sweet 16, scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025. This matchup will be pivotal for the Terrapins as they look to continue their quest for tournament glory.
This year's tournament has been filled with surprises and close finishes, reminding fans why March Madness remains one of the most exciting times in sports. As we move forward, all eyes will be on how the Terrapins perform against a formidable Florida team.
