‘We’ve just got to be better’: Indiana basketball fails to execute in final seconds, suffering heartbreaking loss to Maryland

Indiana basketball continues to sink in the Big Ten conference after dropping a nail biter Sunday afternoon to Maryland, 79-78.

A back and forth first half quickly disappeared as Maryland took a lead as high as 10 points in the second half.

With Maryland pulling the game away, Indiana went on a late game run, outscoring Maryland 22-7 between 9:12 and 3:07. The run was fueled by Myles Rice, who knocked down three attempts from beyond the arc.

Indiana took advantage of the scoring run, possessing a five point lead by the end of the run.

Indiana was able to hold onto its lead during the final minutes of the game, until Maryland’s Rodney Rice knocked down a contested three pointer with seven and a half seconds on the clock, giving Maryland a one point lead.

As Myles Rice was running the ball up the court looking for Indiana’s last offensive play, head coach Mike Woodson called a timeout, shaving nearly two seconds off of the clock.

Woodson’s timeout ended with him subbing out Oumar Ballo and Anthony Leal, taking Indiana’s best rebounder out of the game. Leal on the other hand has been essential in late game situations, having been a key player in Indiana’s overtime win in the final seconds against Ohio State earlier this month.

Woodson opted to sub in Luke Goode and Mackenzie Mgbako for the final play of the half.

The play Indiana drew up?

Passing the ball to Rice in the corner, who was heavily contested and was forced to chuck up an air-balled three point attempt.

The poorly executed play brought up the idea of originally just letting Rice bring the ball up the court as time was expiring, which would have allowed him the opportunity to drive to the paint on an unset Maryland defense.

Following the devastating loss, Woodson gave insight on the designated play he drew up for his offense on the final possession.

“We had a play for Myles to come off because we knew they would switch to big, and he didn’t. He never came off.”

Rice had a similar response to Woodson, taking the heat for the poorly executed late game play.

“That’s on me as the point guard. No matter what lineup we’re in, we have to make sure we all know what we’re doing, and I’ll take some of the heat on that… make sure everybody’s in their spots and make sure we know what we’re doing. We’ve just got to be better, and I’ve got to be better as well.”

Rice finished the game with 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 shooting from three. Rice also added one rebound and three assists in his 35 minutes of action.

Looking at the bigger picture, Indiana has now dug itself a hole, as the team continues to drop further and further in the Big Ten standings.

With today’s loss, Indiana has now lost four of its last five Big Ten conference games. Indiana sits at a 5-5 record in conference play, holding a 14-7 overall recored.

Woodson spoke on behalf of himself and the team on what it means to lose.

“No, any time you lose, it’s tough to swallow. I don’t like to lose at all. It’s just my makeup. I know those guys in the locker room, I love them to death, and they don’t like losing. Again, I’ve just got to help them more. That’s what I’ve got to do.”

The team will have the next few days to recoup before driving up north to West Lafayette, facing rival Purdue on Friday night at Mackey Arena.

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