Maryland Erases 19-Point Deficit to Beat West Virginia 90–81 in Exhibition
Maryland’s final exhibition produced a demanding test before the games begin to count. The Terps erased a 19-point deficit and defeated West Virginia 90–81 in overtime at XFINITY Center on Sunday, October 18th.
The Maryland basketball comeback was driven by Andre Mills and Pharrel Payne. Mills scored 27 points with eight rebounds, while Payne added 26 points and 13 rebounds. Their combined 53 points gave Maryland a way back into a game that had tilted sharply toward the visitors.
From a halftime hole to overtime
Maryland’s official recap records a 75–75 tie after regulation and a 15-point overtime period that secured the win. Mills made four of seven attempts from three-point range, and the Terps finished 10 of 20 from beyond the arc.
Mike McNair Jr. contributed 15 points, including three three-pointers, and Kaden House supplied 10 points off the bench. The supporting scoring helped Maryland turn the second half into a sustained comeback rather than a brief run.
Rebounding changed the game
West Virginia’s game report supplies another measure of the turnaround: Maryland won the rebounding battle 48–36 and collected 24 offensive rebounds. The Mountaineers led 46–31 at halftime, but their clean first half gave way to 13 turnovers across the second half and overtime.
McNair’s three-pointer put Maryland ahead 57–56 with 10:25 remaining. West Virginia later erased a five-point deficit of its own, with a Finley Bizjack three and a Brenen Lorient dunk helping force the extra period.
The Mountaineers did not make a field goal in overtime; all six of their points came at the foul line. Bizjack led West Virginia with 25 points, including five three-pointers.
Useful evidence, not a regular-season result
The exhibition showed Maryland responding to a substantial deficit, finding second chances and finishing strongly. It also left the slow start as something to address. The win does not count toward the Terps’ regular-season record.
PowerPage previously covered Maryland’s 85–70 exhibition victory over Georgia Tech. Together, the two preseason tests offer an early look at the team’s development, with the West Virginia game adding a much tougher recovery assignment.
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