Eric Ayala poured in a career-high 24 points and Aaron Wiggins tied a season-high with 22 as Maryland finished off a two-games-in-two-nights sweep of visiting Nebraska with a 79-71 victory on Wednesday in Big Ten Conference action in College Park, Md.

Maryland led by seven points at the half and never looked back, running its advantage to 14 points four minutes into the second half and by as many as 21 with 4:42 to play. The Terrapins defense, especially through the middle of the second half was the difference, allowing Nebraska to shoot just 42.9 percent in the game and forcing 11 turnovers.

The Terrapins defeated Nebraska 64-50 on Tuesday in a game that was originally scheduled for Jan. 16 in Lincoln, Neb., but was postponed due to health and safety protocols within the Cornhuskers' program.

Jairus Hamilton added 13 points for Maryland (13-10, 7-9 Big Ten).

Nebraska's Terry Allen led all scorers with 25 points as Lat Mayen added 13 and Dalano Blanton hit for 11 for the Cornhuskers (5-14, 1-11).

The Terrapins matched its largest lead of the first half when Ayala poured in a second-chance 3-pointer and then a jumper in the lane with 14 seconds remaining to put Maryland up 40-33 at the break.

Ayala had 17 points in the half, with Wiggins adding 13 as the Terrapins outshot Nebraska 48 percent to 38 percent over the first 20 minutes.

The Cornhuskers kept the game within reach thanks to Mayen's 11 first-half points and 10 from Allen.

Maryland's win on Wednesday marked the first time it has won three consecutive games in league play this season.

The Terrapins owned the first four minutes of the second half, rolling to a 53-39 advantage at the 15:59 mark after a steal and a layup from Donta Scott.

Wednesday's game was the Cornhuskers' seventh in the past 12 days after returning to action on Feb. 6 following a 28-day COVID layoff. Last season, Nebraska played seven games in the entire month of February.

--Field Level Media