CHAMPAIGN, IL – Led by the dynamic duo of Julian Reese and Derik Queen, Maryland men’s basketball earned its second win over a ranked team this season with its 91-70 win over No. 17 Illinois at State Farm Center on Thursday. Maryland, No. 24 in the NCAA NET, improved to 15-5 overall and 5-4 in Big Ten play. Kevin Willard picked up his eighth win over a ranked team as Maryland’s head coach. The Terps have now beaten Illinois in 11 of the last 14 matchups, including five of the last six meetings in Champaign.
Reese (career-highs of 27 points and 17 rebounds) and Queen (25 points and six rebounds) combined for 52 points and 23 rebounds. That point total was the most for the pair in a game this season, bettering the mark of 41 vs. UMES on Dec. 28, 2024. It was the first time Maryland had two players score 25 or more points in a game since Feb. 20, 2011 when Jordan Williams (26) and Terrell Stoglin (25) did it against NC State.
Reese earned his sixth 20-point performance of the season and 30th career double-double. His 30 double-doubles rank eighth most in program history. He nearly earned his double-double in the first half alone, collecting nine in the first 20 minutes of action. The senior also blocked three shots in the game.
Queen added four assists and three steals to his stat line. It was his seventh game scoring 20 or…
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