Virginia Edges Maryland 87-83 in Rivalry Game
Virginia outlasted Maryland at Xfinity Center after Maryland committed three late turnovers despite an 11-point halftime lead.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Basketball
Virginia defeated Maryland 87-83 on Friday at Xfinity Center in College Park. Maryland led by 11 points at halftime but committed three turnovers in the final 3:48, and has now lost its last four meetings with Virginia.
Why it matters
The loss was Maryland's second straight defeat and extends its winless run against Virginia, its last win in the series coming in 2014. The late turnovers undercut a strong first-half performance.
Maryland shot 72.7% from the free-throw line this season and held the lead by 11 points at halftime before a 23-9 Virginia run. Sam Lewis scored 28 first-half points on 12-of-16 shooting, while opponents shot 44.3% from three against Maryland.
The players
Virginia Cavaliers
The University of Virginia's men's basketball program, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Maryland Terrapins
The University of Maryland's men's basketball program, which plays its home games at Xfinity Center in College Park.
The details
Robert Jennings III and Bishop Boswell started in place of previous starters. Pharrel Payne scored 12 first-half points and Mike McNair Jr. made two 3-pointers before halftime, but Maryland's offense stalled with seven consecutive empty possessions early in the game.
Timeline
2014: Maryland's last win over Virginia.
Friday: Maryland lost 87-83 to Virginia at Xfinity Center.
Saturday: Georgetown scored 44 first-half points against Maryland.
Season Trajectory
The loss continues a difficult stretch in the Maryland-Virginia rivalry, where Maryland's last win came in 2014 and it has now dropped four straight meetings. Maryland's second consecutive defeat leaves its early-season trajectory in question as it heads into the next stretch of its schedule.
Maryland's losing streak against Virginia now stands at four games, and its late turnovers made the difference in a one-possession game. Fantasy managers tracking Sam Lewis should note his 28-point first half on 12-of-16 shooting.
The takeaway
Maryland's 11-point halftime lead shows its offense can produce, but three turnovers in the final 3:48 proved costly against a Virginia team that outscored it 23-9 in the second half.
Further reading
For more on Maryland's season, see College Park Basketball.
