UCLA coach Mick Cronin was ejected as the No. 22 Bruins suffered a significant defeat to Maryland, losing 79-61 on Friday night. This incident occurred with just 5:11 remaining in the game, marking a turning point for both teams.
The Bruins, now at 11-5 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten, have struggled recently, facing three consecutive losses. This includes a disappointing 19-point loss to Michigan earlier in the week, a game where Cronin openly criticized his players, labeling them “soft” and “delusional.” On Friday, with Maryland leading by nine, his frustration reached a boiling point.
Following a rebound by Julian Reese of the Terrapins, Cronin received two quick technical fouls, resulting in his ejection. He shook hands with Maryland coach Kevin Willard as he exited the court, a gesture that hinted at the respect between the two coaches despite the heated moment.
In the aftermath, Gillespie capitalized on the situation, sinking all four free throws granted from the technical fouls. Reese then added a layup, extending Maryland’s lead to 66-51.
Reese contributed significantly to the victory, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyler Bilodeau led UCLA with 18 points.
Takeaways
Maryland: The Terps displayed a resilient performance, turning the game into a rout following Cronin’s exit. Their defense was particularly effective, limiting UCLA to just 41.5% shooting from the field.
Key moment
At halftime, Maryland held a narrow lead of 40-36. They quickly built on that advantage with a 3-pointer from Rodney Rice and a layup by Reese at the start of the second half. With Maryland’s strong defense, the nine-point lead felt secure.
Key stat
Maryland’s first-half performance included an impressive 11-0 run that established their dominance. They later added a 10-0 run toward the end of the game. This season, Maryland has recorded 22 scoring runs of 10-0 or more, a notable increase from the 16 such runs they had last season.
Up next
UCLA will remain on the East Coast, preparing to face Rutgers on Monday night. Meanwhile, Maryland will host Minnesota the same evening.
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