With just under five minutes remaining, fifth-year senior guard Anthony Leal converted an and-one to erase Indiana men’s basketball’s once-double-digit deficit. The basket occurred seconds after the Bloomington, Indiana, native energized the Hoosier faithful inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall with a much-needed defensive stop.
With 40 seconds remaining and Indiana leading 75-74, Leal converted yet another and-one to give the Hoosiers a 78-74 lead. It could’ve been the dagger. It wasn’t.
After fifth-year guard Trey Galloway missed the front end of a one-and-one, Maryland’s sophomore guard Rodney Rice sank a go-ahead 3-pointer to take a 79-78 lead with seven seconds remaining.
Despite his efforts, Leal was subbed out during Indiana’s final chance at victory. Redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice’s fadeaway 3-pointer fell short as the Hoosiers lost in heartbreaking fashion 79-78 to Maryland on Sunday afternoon.
Rice and sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako led the Hoosiers with 16 points. Sixth-year center Oumar Ballo added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Both sides found success on the glass during a tightly contested first half that contained seven different lead changes. Maryland scored 10 second chance points off 10 offensive rebounds while Indiana posted seven offensive boards of its own.
Senior forward Luke Goode, in his first game out of the starting lineup since Dec. 21, provided the Hoosiers with a spark off the bench with a pair of makes from deep in the first half. Regardless, the Terrapins held a slim 38-37 lead entering halftime.
Fifth-year senior guard Selton Miguel caused problems for Indiana’s defense to start the second half, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc in less than three minutes of game time. Miguel’s efforts helped extend Maryland’s advantage to as many as 10 points.
Redshirt sophomore Myles Rice’s perimeter shooting alongside Leal’s multitude of impactful plays erased the deficit and gave Indiana a 5-point lead of its own with just over three minutes remaining.
Even with Leal’s impact facilitating the Hoosiers’ comeback, his name was called as Mgbako checked onto the floor for the final play of the game. The decision was met with a barrage of boos and seconds later Indiana walked off the floor with its fourth loss in five games.
The Hoosiers will travel to face in-state rival Purdue at 8 p.m. Friday inside Mackey Arena in West Lafayette.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa) and columnist Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
