Good for around 36 minutes

November 18, 2015 - Going into last night's game at Maryland, many observers believed Georgetown stood little chance, that the Hoyas, recent losers to Radford would get their doors blown off by America's third ranked team. The outcome was a fait d'accompli of sorts for many of Xfinity Center's 17,950 fans and millions more at home.

John Thompson III and his team didn't play their role in that assumption, as G'Town was up seven with around four and a half minutes remaining in regulation. Thompson's group actually led for close to thirteen minutes in the second stanza up to that point.

Maryland then regrouped, outscoring the Hoyas 21-10 until the final buzzer, sealing their 75-71 win in the process.

Thompson's take on what occurred centered on outside shooting, as he noted "I think coming down to the end they hit some big threes".

That would be jumpers from Melo Trimble, Jake Layman and Rasheed Sulaimon. Each of that group - a trio expected to be primary outside threats for the Terps - splashed in a long ball within the game's final four minutes.

"I don't even know what to say about that to be honest" opined sophomore forward Isaac Copeland, upon being asked what happened down the stretch. "Coach stressed early in the season that we have a lot of offensive talent, and we do, so we can get what we want on offense. But on defense we have to figure out how to stop people and basically finish the game. Tonight's another good example of us going back and watching some film to figure out how to win games".

Trimble scored a game high 24 points for Maryland, nine during his team's comeback. Said Trimble "We just believed in each other", as a key factor in Maryland's surge. Sulaimon credited Trimble's unselfishness, as "It all started with Melo. He and the ball in his hands, he had the key to the car".

A senior forward, Layman logged 15 points, five rebounds, while Sulaimon, a senior transfer guard, finished with 10 points and a contest high seven helpers. Their coach, Mark Turgeon, lauded the former's second half play, while labeling the latter "terrific on both ends".

Maryland shot 38.1% from beyond the arch overall, though prior to that barrage went 23.8%. From the field Maryland finished at 45.8% from the field, 71.9% on charity stripe attempts.

That last point, free throws, was another Maryland advantage, as the Terrapins enjoyed 32 attempts to G'Town's 12 (9-12).

One aspect of the game in G'Town's favor was inside play, where senior Bradley Hayes was dominant at times, leading the Hoyas with 16 points, pacing the contest via eight rebounds.

Hayes declined to comment on his point scoring - the previously scantily used 6'10" pivot was a go to man at times - instead choosing to focus on defense, noting "Obviously I had an OK game on offense, but I think I need to do a lot more on defense".

Georgetown (0-2) shot 48.2% overall while sinking 42.1% of three pointers.

All five Hoya starters finished in double figures: Copeland (13 points, six rebounds), freshman forward Marcus Derrickson (13 points, six rebounds), L.J. Peak, a sophomore guard had 12 points, three boards, in addition to senior guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, who accounted for 14 points and four caroms.

Another Hoya positive was rebounding, where Thompson's guys bested Maryland 36-28, leading Turgeon to bemoan "We have to play a little bit more physical. We got out-rebounded in our house, which should not happen".

Afterward, Thompson didn't buy into a moral victory of battling a national top five team tooth and nail and being over four minutes away from victory, saying "No, I don't take anything positive about being competitive. We're supposed to be".

The big time ball continues to bounce for G'Town, as the team travels to NYC, where they will compete in the 2K Classic. Their first contest, held at Madison Square Garden, pits Thompson's crew against Wisconsin. The Hoyas then return to 'The World's Most Famous Arena on Sunday, where they will face either Duke or VCU.

Maryland (2-0) next plays Saturday at home, when Rider comes to College Park.