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In a tightly contested game at the Prudential Center on Sunday, the Villanova Wildcats suffered a brutal 76-75 loss to the Maryland Terrapins. Despite leading for over 33 minutes and showcasing early defensive tenacity, Villanova could not overcome late-game struggles.
Photo: Maryland's Rodney Rice takes a 3-PT Shot over Villanova's Jordan Longino
(credit: Dylan Davies/Maryland Athletics)
The First Half: Dominance on Both Ends
Villanova took control early, racing to a 40-28 halftime lead. Their aggressive play was a stark contrast to Maryland’s sluggish start. Head Coach Kyle Neptune’s squad thrived defensively, forcing nine turnovers and limiting Maryland to just 20% shooting from beyond the arc in the first half. Maryland Head Coach Kevin Willard acknowledged Villanova's physicality, saying "They came out and were more aggressive...played more physical, created turnovers."
Eric Dixon delivered a masterclass performance, scoring 22 of his 38 points in the first half, including four three-pointers. His ability to stretch the floor and dominate inside provided a clear advantage for the Wildcats.
Wooga Poplar’s Absence and Its Impact
The story of the first half also included the absence of senior guard Wooga Poplar, who played only six minutes. “He was in foul trouble,” said Coach Neptune when asked about Poplar’s limited time on the court. The Wildcats missed Poplar’s offensive spark—during his tenure at Miami, he averaged 13.1 points per game last season, shooting 38.5% from three. Known for his dynamic scoring and floor spacing, Poplar’s presence could have eased the offensive burden on Dixon and diversified Villanova’s attack.
Maryland’s ability to capitalize on Villanova’s short rotation and smaller lineup became evident in the second half. Eric Dixon had to guard Maryland’s best player Derik Queen all while having the entire weight of the Wildcat’s offense on his back. Maryland’s Coach Willard highlighted this, noting his team’s ability to wear down their opponent, stating, “I thought we wore them down a little bit...our defense is really good when we can score on consecutive possessions.”
Second Half: Maryland’s Resurgence
Maryland flipped the script after halftime, outscoring Villanova 48-35. Their physicality on the boards—out-rebounding Villanova 34-30, including 16 offensive rebounds—proved decisive. Julian Reese and Derik Queen spearheaded this effort, combining for 21 rebounds and dominating the paint. Reese finished with 18 points, while Queen added a game-high 22 points.
Maryland’s defense disrupted Villanova’s rhythm, particularly from three-point range. After shooting 40% from deep in the first half, the Wildcats managed just 21% in the second. Coach Willard noted, “We did a good job of making them rush their three-point shots. Everything was kind of rushed, everything was a little bit not in rhythm.”
Coach Neptune reflected on Maryland’s second-half adjustments: “I thought they got way too many second-chance opportunities, especially early in the second half. That gave them some life.” Maryland’s dominance in this aspect was a critical factor in their comeback.
Clutch Moments and Heartbreak
With under a minute left, Queen’s layup gave Maryland a 74-73 lead. Dixon responded with a driving layup to regain the lead for Villanova, but Queen’s free throws with 19 seconds remaining sealed the game for Maryland. Villanova had two final looks to win, but failed to convert, with Dixon missing a three attempt as time expired.
Reflecting on the finish, Neptune remarked, “In a 40-minute game, there’s a lot of possessions...One missed assignment here or there could have been the difference in the game.”
Postgame Comments
Coach Willard praised Villanova’s potential: “I think Nova’s going to figure it out...Kyle’s going to do a really good job with that group.” He also credited Eric Dixon, calling him a “tough matchup” and noting, “He made a lot of tough shots and played really well. That’s what good players do.”
For Villanova, the game showcased their ability to compete against physical opponents but also highlighted areas for growth. Neptune emphasized his team’s resilience, saying, “We had fight... but in the second half, it came down to the little things—getting stops, securing rebounds. We just didn’t get it done defensively.”
Dixon echoed a message of persistence in a message to his teammates: “Just keep grinding. Nothing else you can do.”
Key Performances
Eric Dixon: A career-high 38 points on 15-of-29 shooting, including five three-pointers, and four rebounds.
Derik Queen: 22 points, 11 rebounds, and clutch plays in the final moments.
Julian Reese: A double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Tyler Perkins: Provided energy with seven points, six rebounds, and key defensive stops.
Team Stats
Maryland’s second-chance points: 20
Villanova’s largest lead: 14 points
Villanova’s second-half three-point percentage: 21%
Maryland’s offensive rebounds: 16
Moving Forward
Villanova must learn from this loss with Big East Conference play approaching very soon. Neptune emphasized the importance of refining details: “One time boxing out, one time getting a loose ball…could have been the difference in the game.”
As they prepare for their next game against Rider, the Wildcats have the tools to improve. With their upcoming game against 16th-ranked Cincinnati (AP), they will have to move on, beat a less talented Rider squad, and remain focused. This narrow loss serves as both a tough lesson and a stepping stone for a team striving to reach its potential.
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