COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Terps’ first chance to log minutes together resulted in a 82-81 win over the UMBC Retrievers on Monday night at the Xfinity Center. Eight different Terps got playing time as Maryland began to navigate its new-look 2025-26 roster. George Turkson Jr. hit a crucial three-pointer in the final minute to put the Terps ahead and the Maryland defense closed it out for the scrimmage win.
GEORGE TURKSON JR. FOR THE LEAD‼️
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— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) October 28, 2025
Pharrel Payne led Maryland with 26 points and eight rebounds while Darius Adams tallied 19 points and seven boards in his first unofficial minutes as a Terp.
With a number of players precautionally limited on Monday, the Terps relied on their many new faces in the exhibition. Only three Terps to record minutes on Monday had previously played in a collegiate contest, giving the Terps’ new-look roster a chance to gel and familiarize itself before the regular season begins on Nov. 3.
The Terps physicality was evident on Monday as they scored 25 second-chance points, 34 points in the paint and out-rebounded UMBC 45-29.
Elijah Saunders came alive in the second half, logging 11 second-half points as the Terps and Retrievers traded blows until the final whistle. Turkson Jr.’s heroic shot clinched a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) in the win.
THREEEEE BALL 🏀
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— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) October 27, 2025
Maryland shot 76% (29/38) from the line and 47.1% (24/51) from the field in its preseason test. The Terps gained experience, chemistry and rhythm as they prep for the highly-anticipated upcoming season.
How it Happened:
1st Half:
- A layup from Payne got the scoring started.
- The Terps scored the game’s first eight points and held UMBC off the board for over three minutes to start the contest.
- UMBC hit a pair of threes to cut the Terps lead to 11-6.
- The Retrievers picked up their seventh foul of the first nine minutes as the Terps took a 17-15 lead into the second media timeout.
- Payne finished off a fast break with his fourth field goal of the night as Maryland extended its 21-15 lead.
- Maryland snagged 16 of the night’s first 20 rebounds.
- Payne’s 12th point of the first half kept Maryland ahead, 26-23.
- Adams hit the Terps’ first three of the night to give the Terps a 36-32 lead.
- Maryland took a 36-34 lead into the break.
2nd Half:
- A Guillermo Del Pino bucket got the second-half scoring started.
- Payne put the Terps up by six with his seventh field goal of the night.
- A UMBC three cut the Maryland lead to 53-51 and a layup evened the game with 12 minutes to play.
- A Retrievers layup gave them their first lead of the night.
- A Saunders bucket put UMD back ahead 61-59.
- A three-pointer from the Retrievers put them back ahead 66-63.
- Adams’ second three-pointer brought UMD back within three with under six minutes to play.
- Del Pino tied the game with Maryland’s third three of the night.
- A pair of UMBC free throws put the Retrievers ahead by three with two minutes left.
- A three from Turkson Jr. gave Maryland a 79-78 lead with seconds to play.
- Maryland held on for the 82-81 win.
Buzz’s Breakdown:
- Three focus points: competitive stamina, competing at a high level, being more physical.
- “It’s 15 new players. Every day is a brand new day.”
- “We want to shoot more balls than the opponent. We want to shoot more free throws than the opponent.”
- “I thought Payne’s physicality was excellent.”
- “We want to accrue as much information in real time as possible.”
- For the freshman: “It’s a steep learning curve, but I like the direction they’re going in.”
- “When you’re predictable offensively, it gives you a chance to get your defense set and then you’re not giving up as many points in transition.”
Darius’s Dominance:
- “I’m just doing whatever the team needs.”
- “We’re all prepared to play 40 minutes.”
- “Our defense and physicality needs to get better.”
- “I just felt like it was a game and I needed to step up.”
- “I’m ready for the season, ready to play with these guys and ready to win with these guys.”
- “Payne is one of the best big men in the country.”
Saunders’ Sweet Scrimmage:
- “Settled in” in the second half.
- “I’m proud of the way that some of the younger guys competed.”
- The exhibition was a “Great way to get to know your teammates fast and learn how they compete.”
Numbers to Know:
- 4: The Terps had four players hit double-digits in the win.
- 5: Maryland was 5/15 from three-point range on Monday.
- 15: Payne led all scorers in the opening 20 minutes with 15 first-half points.
- 16: Although Monday’s meeting didn’t count, the Terps remain unbeaten against UMBC and hold a 16-0 all-time record over the Retrievers.
- 28: The Terps led for 28:38 in the exhibition.
- 40: Adams logged a game-high 40 minutes.
- 45: Maryland grabbed 45 boards on Monday.
Up Next:
- The 2025-26 regular season gets started in Baltimore against Coppin State on Nov. 3. The game will start at 6:30 PM and air on BTN.
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