COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — After defeating the Belmont Bruins in their opening game of the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Maryland Terrapins suffered a devastating loss to the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers on Saturday, ending their season.
Maryland fell behind as much as 15 points, but a switch to a defensive zone completely halted the Tigers offense in the second half. Maryland came all the way back to take the lead with just under six minutes remaining in the game. With the game tied under with a minute to go, LSU hit a go-ahead three-pointer, but Terrapins freshman Jalen Smith tied it once again with a three-pointer of his own.
The game come down to the wire when LSU guard Tremont Waters hit a tough, driving layup with 1.6 seconds to go, which put the Tigers ahead for good, ending Maryland’s season.
TREMONT WATERS FOR THE WIN!
LSU ADVANCES!pic.twitter.com/6IQ46TSnaF
— SB Nation (@SBNation) March 23, 2019
College Basketball Twitter responded to Waters’ game winning shot:
MY BROTHA TREMONT WATERS FOR GAME??❄️ #UNDERDOGMENTALITY
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 23, 2019
So much Shabazz Napier in Tremont Waters….
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 23, 2019
TREMONT WATERS HOLDS OFF THE MARYLAND COMEBACK AND LSU IS HEADING TO THE SWEET SIXTEEN
— Barstool LSU #FreeWillWade (@LSUBarstool) March 23, 2019
BOOT UP BABY!!!! COME ON DOWN TO DC TIGERS ??????
— 2️⃣9️⃣ (@DhaSickest) March 23, 2019
While Waters did make an amazing shot, there was some controversy on the play. Here’s how Twitter reacted to what may have been a traveling violation:
Tremont Waters traveled on his game-winner. Your gather step counts as a step in college, which means he took three steps pic.twitter.com/Biw6ykzX8w
— Graham Marsh (@GrahamMarshUF) March 23, 2019
Tremont Waters wears No. 3 because that’s how many steps he took before that shot.
— Joe Catapano (@JoeCatapano_) March 23, 2019
THIS IS A TRAVEL. 4 STEPS. MARYLAND WAS ROBBED. @TSBI_XV #tsbi pic.twitter.com/kFgbI6B1rY
— Rachid Haoues (@RachidRouis) March 23, 2019
The Terps, one of the youngest teams in the country, exceeded most expectations many had for them this season. Four freshman, Smith, Eric Ayala, Ricky Lindo Jr. and Aaron Wiggins, all played significant minutes on a Terrapins team that won 23 games this season.
In a tournament that lacked drama throughout the opening weekend, the Terrapins and Tigers put on a show in one of the best games of the tournament so far.
In the end, the Terps played their hearts out and managed to hold their heads high after the loss.
I LOVE YALL TERP NATION.❤️
I know rn it sucks for all of us, but there’s so much to be proud of, and even more to look forward to.
I have nothing but one thing on mind. And it’s to make You, My Family and Angola Proud and represent you the best of my ability.#CWM#HelluvaYear pic.twitter.com/5esXa9sP78— Bruno Fernando™ (@BrunoFernandoMV) March 24, 2019
Love always. #Family pic.twitter.com/xIb2A0yQeN
— Maryland Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) March 23, 2019
We All We Got! ❤️ FAMILY https://t.co/X9GJSKr9Af
— Darryl Morsell (@410D_) March 23, 2019
Despite a heartbreaking loss to LSU in his last game as a Terp, senior Andrew Terrell only had good things to say about his time with Mark Turgeon. pic.twitter.com/EjCcHYW7aJ
— Amy Jennings (@amyjenningsnews) March 23, 2019
The local community shared their support for Maryland basketball on Twitter. Maryland Senator Ben Cardin shared his condolences.
Incredible effort by @TerrapinHoops.
— Ben Cardin (@BenCardinforMD) March 23, 2019
Thank you for an incredible season and a fight to the very end! #FearTheTurtle https://t.co/L9gmkibR9G
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) March 23, 2019
While the Terrapins suffered the tough defeat, LSU players lived to see another day.
The No. 3 seed in the East region was thrilled to advance to the Sweet 16, where they have a date with the No. 2 seed Michigan State Spartans on Friday evening at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Here’s how the victorious LSU Tigers reacted to their victory.
For all of the people out there counting steps & saying the game winner included a travel…Tremont Waters has a great response ??#LSU #Sweet16 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/azrPpYLUpt
— Brian Holland (@BHollandSports) March 24, 2019
“I feel like every kid, dreams of that moment.”#LSU Tremont Waters on his game-winner as the Tigers are on their way to the Sweet 16. @WAFB pic.twitter.com/IDo7LqffIK
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) March 23, 2019
“It is a very humbling feeling. I’m going to keep going out and continue to make plays for my guys.”
Tremont Waters talks about his amazing finish that helped seal the game for @LSUBasketball. pic.twitter.com/iwqAmqSjWo
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) March 23, 2019
“We just knew we needed to get this one for him.”
Tremont Waters says this one is for his late teammate Wayde Sims#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/oYGeFrM2qT
— Sports Sidelined // ? (@SportsSidelined) March 23, 2019
Although the Terps suffered a gut-wrenching defeat, Terrapin alumni Scott Van Pelt summed it up best.
Baton Rouge, you know I love ya. What a battle.
Thank you @TerrapinHoops for the ride. Sad to see it end but proud of the fight. pic.twitter.com/1CoebMcC2K
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) March 23, 2019