The No. 5 Terps started off the Orlando Invitational with a gritty 76-69 victory over Temple on Thanksgiving. Maryland will now face Harvard in the semifinals of the tournament on Friday at 11:30 a.m.
Thanks to a career high 30-point performance by senior Anthony Cowan, the Terps survived a close quarterfinal matchup against first year head coach Aaron McKie and his Owls squad.
Mired by a slow start — a trend that has defined the Terps this season thus far — Maryland battled through 14 lead changes and nine ties with the Owls. The Terps struggled with 14 turnovers, but when it mattered most, the team showed poise at the free throw line, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 in the final seconds.