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Big defensive stop allows Maryland to escape Belmont, 79-77

Maryland was clinging to a one-point lead and the shot clock was off as Belmont (26-6) had a chance to win it at the buzzer.
Credit: AP
Belmont guard Grayson Murphy (2) gets off a shot ahead of Maryland 's Bruno Fernando (23) during the first half of a first round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, March 21, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It wasn't pretty, but the Terps will take it.

Maryland beat Belmont 79-77 for the program's first postseason win since a win over Hawai'i in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament.

Maryland escaped after one last heave by Belmont at the buzzer fell short.

The Terps trailed for most of the game, but they led for the final 2:47. 

Maryland had balanced scoring with four players in double figures.

The team survived an off-night from Anthony Cowan, who shot just 16.7% from the field.

The Terps also survived a big game from the Bruins' Dylan Windler. The senior scored 35 points, and had 11 rebounds.

The Maryland players had high praise for the Belmont senior.

"Dylan Windler is a phenomenal player," said Darryl Morsell. "He could score at all three levels. Today, he found his rhythm early. He was hitting some big shots, some stepbacks, some fadeaways. I just stuck with it. My teammates, Bruno, Eric, Anthony, all of them, kept picking me up telling me, 'keep going, keep going, we're going to find a way to win this game.'"

The Terps boast the fourth youngest team in Division I basketball, and head coach Mark Turgeon was impressed with their poise.

"Our leadership, for such a young team, our communication and belief throughout that game was tremendous," said Turgeon.

Maryland now turns its attention to LSU.

The Tigers are playing without their suspended head coach, and survived an upset bid from Yale in the first round.

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