Local Teams

Eric Ayala had 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists as Maryland rolled to a 68-57 victory over turnover-prone Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament at Indianapolis on Thursday.

Aaron Wiggins supplied 19 points, six rebounds and three steals for the eighth-seeded Terrapins (16-12), who will face top-seeded Michigan in the quarterfinals on Friday. Jairus Hamilton added nine points as Maryland enhanced its chance of an NCAA Tournament bid.

Malik Hall's 19 points led the ninth-seeded Spartans (15-12). Aaron Henry contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals but he also committed six turnovers.

Michigan State had 18 turnovers, which the Terrapins converted into 27 points. The Spartans scored just two points off Maryland's 11 turnovers.

The Terrapins shot 38.2 percent from the field but made 20 of 28 free throws, while Michigan State made just half of its 18 free throw attempts.

The Spartans went scoreless for more than six minutes at the start of the second half as Maryland stretched its four-point halftime lead to 12.

Wiggins converted a pair of layups and Ayala completed the run with a putback to make it 42-30. A.J. Hoggard finally ended Michigan State's drought with a basket in the lane with 13:43 to play.

Up 10 midway through the half, the Terrapins scored the next eight points to make it 55-37. Wiggins got the spurt started with a layup. He then made a steal, leading to a Hamilton three-point play. Wiggins completed the run with another three-point play.

A pair of Ayala free throws with 7:13 remaining gave Maryland its biggest lead at 59-40.

Maryland rallied from a double-digit deficit to take a 34-30 halftime lead. Free throws were a major factor, as the Terrapins outscored the Spartans 15-5 at the foul line in the first half.

The Spartans were up 23-11 midway through the half. The Terrapins then went on an 18-4 run, capped by a Wiggins dunk. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo was assessed a technical during that span as he argued about foul calls.

Ayala capped off a 13-point first half with a 3-point make in the final second.

--Field Level Media