COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Dez Wells scored 17 points, Jake Layman had a career-high 13 rebounds and No. 14 Maryland used a late surge to beat Rutgers 73-65 on Wednesday night in a duel between Big Ten newcomers.
Layman and Jared Nickens each scored 12 points for the Terrapins (16-2, 4-1), who finished with an 18-6 run to avert an upset.
Coming off a 67-62 win over then-No. 4 Wisconsin, Rutgers (10-8, 2-3) appeared poised for an encore after taking a 57-51 lead with 7:27 left.
It was 59-55 before Nickens hit a 3-pointer, Wells made two free throws and Wells turned a steal into a layup to put Maryland in front 62-59.
The Scarlet Knights weren't done. Kadeem Jack made a tip-in and Malick Kone hit a free throw to tie it.
A 3-pointer by Nickens made it 67-63 with 2:14 remaining, and Maryland secured the victory at the free throw line.
Myles Mack scored 19 points for Rutgers, and Bishop Daniels and Mike Williams each had 12.
