The Northwestern University Wildcats’ first loss of the season came at the hands of the University of Maryland Terrapins 77-57 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

After winning four straight ACC/Big Ten Challenge games, the team’s failure to secure rebounds and execute on scoring opportunities ultimately doomed the Wildcats.

“[It was] a horrible effort on the boards by the whole squad,” said Wildcats’ sophomore guard Dave Sobolewski.

The Terrapins out rebounded the Wildcats 47-19. Through the first six games of the season, Northwestern had averaged 40 rebounds a game.

Although Northwestern held Maryland to 36 percent shooting and caused 11 turnovers during the first half, the Terrapins managed to hold a two point advantage heading into the second half.

The Wildcats overall troubles continued as the game progressed. They shot 36 percent during the second half and continued to have trouble corralling rebounds. Terrapins quickly took advantage and mounted a 13-point lead with 13 minutes remaining in the game.

Northwestern Head Coach Bill Carmody blamed the poor shooting by the team, on shooting the ball too quickly on a lot of possessions. He also said senior forward Drew Crawford was pressing to make plays.

16 of the Wildcats’ 28 first half shots were from beyond the arc and they only made three of those attempts.

“Too many threes too soon,” Carmody said.

Heading into the game, the Wildcats were shooting 40 percent from 3-point territory and holding opponents to 34 percent from beyond the arc.

The Terrapins, who struggled from long range in the first half, went on to make 57 percent of their threes to help build a whopping 21-point lead. The Wildcats were out scored 49-31, during the last frame.

Maryland was led by center Alex Len and forward Dez Wells, who had a game high 23 points but averaged less than 10 points a game heading into the game against Northwestern. Len had the only double-double of the night and had a game high 13 rebounds.

Sobolewski refused to call the loss a statement game but did admit the team has a lot correct to be able to be competitive against top tier opponents.

“Nothing more than a loss in November,” he said.

The loss ends the Wildcats’ 21-game winning streak during the month of November. Northwestern prepares to play the University of Illinois-Chicago on Dec. 1 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

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