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Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Corey Sanders scored 15 points and Nigel Johnson added 14, but Rutgers (12-9, 1-7) dropped a 67-55 decision to No. 22 Maryland (18-2, 6-1) on Tuesday evening before 17,950 fans at the Xfinity Center. The Scarlet Knights were unable to overcome their struggles at the free throw line, making 10-of-24, in a game that featured five ties and seven lead changes.

"Maryland is a really good basketball team that is well coached and has good players," said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. "I thought we hung around a bit, but our free throw percentage didn't allow us to make it more interesting.''

Rutgers out-rebounded the first place Terps 40-39, including 22 offensive boards, to establish a 32-28 edge in points in the paint and a 19-11 advantage in second chance points.

Deshawn Freeman joined Sanders and Johnson in double digits with 10 points, while also grabbing a team-best six rebounds.

It was a back-and-forth affair in the early going, before Maryland used an 8-3 burst to move ahead, 18-11. Rutgers called a timeout to regroup and responded with a 9-1 run. The flurry began with a three-pointer from Johnson and concluded with a fast break layup from the redshirt junior, as RU pushed ahead, 20-19.

A three-pointer from Sanders provided the Scarlet Knights a 25-22 advantage, its largest of the contest before the capacity crowd.

The Terrapins finished the half in decisive fashion. An L.G. Gill three-pointer at the buzzer capped a 12-4 run and the Terps took a 34-29 lead into the locker room at the midpoint.

Maryland started the second half with four quick points. Once again, RU responded out of a timeout, going on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 38-35.

'We've been getting off to some slow starts in the second half, but we need to hang around when you're playing a really good team that's ranked and hasn't lost many games all season,'' Pikiell said. "You can't let them go on runs like that, so we called a quick timeout, brought our guys in and then we responded after that. I thought we did a good job.''

The Scarlet Knights would get no closer, however, as the Terrapins got hot from long distance. Three consecutive three-point attempts sparked a 16-3 run and put the home squad ahead, 54-38.

Rutgers battled back, cutting the lead to single digits twice in the final stages, but Maryland closed strong to capture its fifth straight victory.

"I thought (Rutgers) was terrific,'' said Maryland coach Mark Turgeon. "Steve has them playing the way they have to play to be successful, which is to defend and rebound and play through Sanders. They were much more prepared than we were. They were really locked in defensively, especially in the first half. Steve's doing a great job. There's some talent there, and he's got them playing with toughness and buying in. There's no doubt he's going to get that thing turned.''­­

Rutgers returns to the hardwood on Saturday to host No. 15 Wisconsin at 12 noon as part of Big Ten Super Saturday at Madison Square Garden on BTN. Tickets are still available here.

Postgame Notes

Corey Sanders scored in double figures for the 14th time this season and 36th time in 48 career games. He led the team in scoring for a team-best 8th time this season.

Nigel Johnson scored in double figured for the team-high 15th time this season.

Deshawn Freeman scored in double figures for the 11th time this season.

CJ Gettys had a career-high four steals.

Maryland holds a 7-3 advantage in the all-time series between the schools.