Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble scores 22 points as the Terps outlast American 62-56 in Friday night’s season opener.

The Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball, with the help of junior guard Melo Trimble, outlasted American University, 62-56 in front of 17,078 at Xfinity Center Friday night. Although the Terrapins were able to get the much-expected win, it wasn’t easy.

American kept close throughout much of the game and even led the Terps 47-45 with just over six minutes left in regulation. Junior star Trimble came to Maryland’s rescue, making a burst of critical plays late in the second half as he finished with a game-high 22 points.

The highly-touted freshman Anthony Cowan got the nod to start from head coach Mark Turgeon Friday night, and he was impressive. In his Maryland debut, the confident Cowan scored 12 points with nine rebounds, just shy of a double-double. Cowan wasn’t the only freshman to start in his debut against the Eagles as Turgeon elected to start freshman sharpshooter Kevin Huerter, who hit two clutch three-pointers late in the second half to help Maryland secure their first win of the season.

Returning players Damonte Dodd and Jared Nickens, who both started the game were ineffective in Maryland’s season opener. Senior forward Dodd, who played just 11 minutes with three points, picked up his first personal foul just 54 seconds into the game, then short after he received his second foul and instantly taken out of the game by Turgeon. Nickens earned the starting job but wasn’t abe to score a point as he missed all five of his shot attempts including four three-pointers.

Graduate transfer L.G. Gill and freshman forward Justin Jackson received significant minutes to help Maryland dodge an early season upset. Gill was a force in the frontcourt, grabbing six rebounds and was seven of eight from the free-throw line. Although Jackson was one of four from the field, he hauled in a game-high nine rebounds as Dodd remained on the bench in foul trouble.

Next, the Maryland Terrapins will visit the Verizon Center Tuesday night to take on the Georgetown Hoyas as part of a series of matchups between Big Ten and Big East teams. Maryland and Georgetown will play each other for the second straight year as they renew a historic rivalry. Last season, the Terrapins squeaked by the Hoyas for a 75-71 win in College Park.

At the time, Maryland ranked second in the nation and Last season, the Terrapins squeaked by the Hoyas for a 75-71 win in College Park. At the time, Maryland ranked second in the nation and had trouble beating an unranked Georgetown team.