LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Donta Scott scored 18 points and No. 22 Maryland made five consecutive 3-pointers to open the second half in a runaway 79-54 victory over winless Louisville on Tuesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The Terrapins (7-0) led throughout, including 37-26 at halftime, before Don Carey sank the first of two from long range during the 15-6 surge that featured two 3s from Scott and one from Hakim Hart. They went ahead 60-37 with 11:32 remaining and led by as many as 33 in their first true road game of the season.
Maryland ended up shooting 54% after halftime and 50% overall while posting its seventh consecutive double-digit win under new coach Kevin Willard. The Terps shot 6 of 11 from long range in the second half and 9 of 24 overall.
El Ellis scored 15 points for the Cardinals (0-7), whose nightmarish start continued as they shot 34% against their third ranked opponent in four games. Louisville began the season with one-point losses at home to Bellarmine, Wright State and Appalachian State but has been blown out four straight times since its schedule got tougher.
Scott, whose 15.5 points per game led four Maryland players averaging double figures, made 3 of 6 from behind the arc and 7 of 12 overall. Jahmir Young added 15 points with one 3 and Ian Martinez scored 10 off the bench, including two 3s.
Maryland outrebounded Louisville 38-33 and outscored the Cardinals 36-24 in the paint.
The schools faced each other for the second consecutive season, one year and a day after Louisville topped Maryland 63-55 for the Baha Mar Hoops championship in the Bahamas.
BIG PICTURE
Maryland: The Terps have represented both conferences in the Challenge but entered with a 1-7 record in such games since joining the Big Ten. It was their first road win in four tries in the Challenge.
Louisville: After a disastrous showing at the Maui Invitational, the Cardinals simply wanted to make small steps forward in their rebuild. They couldn't match Maryland’s quickness, athleticism and accuracy.
UP NEXT
Maryland hosts Illinois on Friday night in its Big Ten opener.
Louisville hosts Miami on Sunday in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener.
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