Maryland’s Derik Queen banks in 1st buzzer-beater of 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament

The 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament has not been friendly to Cinderellas, and that was the case again on Sunday. But we did finally get a buzzer-beater when No. 4 seed Maryland knocked off No. 12 seed Colorado State on freshman Derik Queen’s banked-in two-pointer for a 72-71 win.

It was redemption for Maryland, who gave up a Jalen Lake 3-pointer, and the lead, with 3.6 seconds left. The Terrapins had also been on the losing end of buzzer-beaters against both Michigan and Michigan State this year, as well as a late game-winning 3 from Ohio State.

Maryland, which trailed 37-30 at halftime, went on a 9-0 run late in the second half. After going almost seven minutes without a basket, Nique Clifford ended Colorado State’s dry spell with two free throws to get the Rams within 68-66. They tied it back up with under a minute left on a Lake jumper. Julian Reese gave the Terps the lead again with two free throws with 22 seconds left before Lake put the Rams up 71-70.

Maryland is now headed back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016. They will now face No. 1 seed Florida, who narrowly defeated UConn earlier Sunday. 

Only two double-digit seeds remain in the tournament: No. 10 seed Arkansas, which beat St. John’s on Saturday, and No. 10 seed New Mexico, which is playing No. 2 seed Michigan State on Sunday night. 

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