Maryland-Virginia Tech recap: Terps dominate Hokies on the road, 80-60

Maryland defeated Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on Saturday afternoon, 80-60, improving to 13-9 overall and 5-4 in the ACC. The Terps were again led by a strong performance from junior guard Dez Wells, who finished with 19 points, carrying over his hot hand from his 21 point performance against Miami. Sophomore Seth Allen also had a dominant game, finishing with 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Maryland went with a different starting line up on Saturday, with Jake Layman, Evan Smotrycz, Shaq Cleare, Seth Allen and Nick Faust taking the court at the opening tip. Dez Wells was held out of the starting lineup due to a coach's decision, but quickly checked into the game for Maryland.

Evan Smotrycz got off to a quick start for the Terps, scoring five of their first seven points as they opened up a a small three point lead. Both teams traded the lead throughout the early portion of the first half until the Hokies pulled ahead by three after the Terps turned the ball over four times in five possessions. Freshman point guard Roddy Peters was responsible for two of those turnovers and quickly exited the game as a result.

As Virginia Tech began to pull ahead, pushing their lead to six, Seth Allen responded for Maryland, sparking a quick 12-0 run for the Terps, behind a pair of three pointers from the sophomore guard. The run give Maryland a six point lead with just under seven minutes remaining in the first half.

The Hokies finally ended the Maryland run and cut the lead down to two with four minutes remaining in the half thanks to Cadarian Rains, who scored four quick points for Tech.

Maryland slowly built their lead, but couldn't put the Hokies away in the half when they had the opportunity, repeatedly turning the ball over and allowing Tech to pull within two with just over a minute left in the first period thanks to five points off the bench from Virginia Tech junior Will Johnson.

With all of the momentum in Tech's favor, Maryland hit a pair of three pointers to close the half, giving the Terps an eight point lead, 43-35, their largest of the game at the time, heading into intermission. Dez Wells (12 points) and Seth Allen (11 points) led the Terps in scoring during the first half.

After Tech hit a three to start the second half, Maryland went on a 14-2 run to build a 17 point lead, forcing Tech turnovers into easy transition baskets. The Terps continued to build their lead, working the ball inside as their lead grew to 21 midway through the second half.

Tech tried to claw back into the game, going on a 7-0 to cut the lead to 14, but Maryland responded and refused to let Tech back into the game the same way they did in their previous game against Miami. A electric Jake Layman slam dunk, followed by a high flying alley-oop from Dez Wells, put the exclamation point on a strong road win for Maryland.

Mark Turgeon was able to clear out his bench during the game's final minutes, allowing him to rest his starters as they prepare for their next game on Tuesday on the road against North Carolina.