Maryland is leading Catholic University 44-19 at halftime of their exhibition game today at the Comcast Center, behind Jake Layman's game-high 13 points. Maryland started a huge lineup of sophomores Shaq Cleare (6'9"), Jake Layman (6'8"), juniors Evan Smotrycz (6'9"), Dez Wells (6'5"), and Nick Faust (6'6").
Maryland looked a bit rusty in the early going, struggling to make baskets and committing two quick turnovers, including one by Dez Wells on Maryland's first possession of the game. On the next possession, Wells drove to the basket himself to score the first points of the game. Maryland only committed six turnovers in the half.
Nick Faust, who head coach Mark Turgeon wanted to take on the role of defending the opposing team's best player, started off the game guarding Catholic guard/forward Steve Limberiou, the Cardinals leading returning scorer. Limberiou scored just four points in the first half.
Sophomore Charles Mitchell, who came off the bench, has 10 rebounds, which is two more than Catholic has as a team. Mitchell was also very active offensively on offense, attempting seven shots, but only converting on two of them.
Sophomore Jake Layman, who has received a lot of hype coming into the season as a potential breakout star, has demonstrated why so many people talking about him nationally, leading all scorers with 13 points, including 3/5 from beyond the arc. Layman had one stretch in the half where he hit three consecutive three point baskets within a minute or so of each other. That stretch seemed to take the pressure off Maryland and opened up their offense, allowing the Terps to push what was a narrow lead all the way up to 25 by halftime.
Dez Wells picked up his 2nd foul with 8:25 left in the first half, resulting in freshman Roddy Peters playing 12 minutes. Peters has two assists and has looked very comfortable scoring, especially when driving to the basket.
Junior Evan Smotrycz (9 points) and junior Nick Faust (8 points) are Maryland other leading scorers in the half.