Maryland’s journey continues. In a thrilling matchup, the 4th-seeded Terrapins pulled off a stunning victory over 12th-seeded Colorado State with a buzzer-beating floater by Derik Queen on Sunday, securing a 72-71 win and advancing to the Sweet 16.
The game-winning play unfolded with just 3.7 seconds left as Queen received the ball on an inbounds pass, executed a drive to the opposite side of the basket, and lofted a floater over the outstretched arm of Colorado State’s Nikola Djapa. The shot kissed off the backboard and dropped through the net at the buzzer, sending Maryland into jubilation.
After the dramatic finish, Queen’s teammates swarmed him, marking a memorable moment in the NCAA tournament’s opening weekend.
Heartbreak for Colorado State
The contest was a seesaw battle, with Colorado State holding the lead for most of the game before suffering a heartbreaking defeat. Despite taking an early 9-8 lead that they maintained until Maryland surged ahead 49-47 in the second half, Colorado State fought fiercely to keep their Cinderella run alive.
Maryland seized a 68-64 advantage with under two minutes remaining after a crucial 9-0 run. However, Colorado State responded, tying the game at 68-68 on a jumper by Jalen Lake. The teams traded blows, with Maryland briefly reclaiming a 70-68 lead on free throws by Julian Reese, only for Lake to hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 6.1 seconds on the clock.
But Maryland had one last chance. Following a timeout, Queen received the ball and delivered the game-winning shot, propelling the Terps into the next round.
Kevin Willard: ‘We Needed This’
Reflecting on the victory, Maryland’s head coach Kevin Willard expressed relief after enduring multiple buzzer-beater losses earlier in the season. Willard credited Queen’s confidence and determination in the critical moment, emphasizing the team’s resilience and determination.
Queen’s game-winner capped off a remarkable season for the freshman standout, who led Maryland to a strong showing in the Big Ten conference and a coveted No. 4 seeding in the NCAA tournament. Recognized as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, Queen’s clutch shot secured a spot in Maryland basketball lore and etched a lasting memory for fans and players alike.
In a postgame interview, an elated Queen revealed that the shot marked his first game-winning moment, underscoring the significance of his unforgettable performance in March Madness.
After the game, it was revealed that the player said, “I would not have given it to him if I had known.”During an interview, Derik Queen was asked if this was his first game-winning shot ever. He replied with a joyful, “Yeah. 😂😂😂” A tweet from FOX College Hoops shared a video clip of the moment.
Originally from Baltimore, Queen expressed his pride in representing his hometown. “First and foremost, I just want to represent Baltimore,” Queen stated. “Not many people are able to make it out of Baltimore. I came here with the goal of making a positive impact. Hopefully, I achieved that, so that coach Willard can keep recruiting more local talent.” Queen’s contributions have left a lasting impact on Maryland basketball history.
In the game on Sunday, Queen scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds, and recorded two blocks. He made 7 of 12 field goal attempts, including 2 of 3 shots from beyond the arc. Queen led all five Maryland starters who reached double-digit points.
Maryland’s success in the game was largely due to their 3-point shooting. Despite being outshot overall by Colorado State, Maryland prevailed by shooting 41.7% from long range, compared to Colorado State’s 23.8%.
Nique Clifford led Colorado State with 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Lake added 13 points with three 3-pointers. Unfortunately, Colorado State’s season came to an end with this loss.
Maryland’s journey continues as they move on to face the No. 1 seed Florida in the Sweet 16 round.
