BROOKLYN, N.Y. — No. 13 Maryland men’s basketball overcame a dreadful first half with a huge second-half surge but didn’t make enough plays in the end in a 56-53 loss to No. 7 Tennessee on Sunday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational at Barclays Center.
After trailing by as many as 21 points, the Terps pushed the Volunteers to the brink in the closing seconds. Graduate transfer guard Jahmir Young recovered a loose ball and passed to senior guard Hakim Hart, who was wide-open under the rim for a layup that cut the deficit to 55-53 with 24.6 seconds left.
After Tennessee missed a free throw with 22 seconds left, the Terps (8-2) had the chance to take their first lead since going up 2-1. Young drove into the lane and found some open space for a floater, but wasn’t able to convert. The Volunteers hit one of two free throws after a foul, giving Maryland one more chance to tie the game. Young drove down the court and got off a 3-point attempt from the top of the arc, but it sailed wide right as time expired.
