Derik Queen's bank shot helped Maryland to a win
Derik Queen gave the Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball program something to cheer about on Sunday night when his buzzer-beating bank shot won their March Madness game against the Colorado State Rams.
Queen’s fadeaway jumper gave the Terrapins the 72-71 win as time expired. It’s the first time the Terrapins have made it to the Sweet 16 since 2016 and the first time under head coach Kevin Willard.
Maryland center Derik Queen shoots the game-winning basket over Colorado State guard Ethan Morton during the second round of the NCAA tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The drive to the left side of the floor and the subsequent pro hop gave Queen the best opportunity to put the ball in the basket. However, the step in the lane became a source of controversy on social media.
College basketball fans believed Queen got away with a walk.
MARYLAND MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 24, 2025
TERPS WIN IT! pic.twitter.com/NO0UozXVyj
R.I.P. traveling — 1897-2025. https://t.co/C5TxSQ6d0c
— Steve Politi (@StevePoliti) March 24, 2025
thats a travel
— Alex (@Brazil201) March 24, 2025
Travel??? My goodness 🤦♂️ https://t.co/sl6YXzLrDQ
— Shea McClellin (@mcckshea) March 24, 2025
Traveled. https://t.co/bU0BFgEcEr
— Jeff Linder (@jtlinder) March 24, 2025
Cool shot....
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) March 24, 2025
How many steps are allowed nowadays? https://t.co/1fHN9k98ai
Queen had 17 points in the win.
"When coach drew up the play, he trusted me and my teammates trusted me," Queen said. "I was a little bit nervous, but I was due for one, and I had to, had to make this."
AUBURN'S BRUCE PEARL SUGGESTS GOD INSPIRED HIM TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT AMERICAN HELD HOSTAGE BY HAMAS
Maryland center Derik Queen celebrates with teammates after making the winning basket for a 72-71 win over Colorado State, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Willard said Queen wanted the ball and he drew up a play for him.
"Sometimes, you can draw something up for a guy that maybe doesn’t want the basketball," Willard said. "So once he said that, it was a pretty simple decision, and I could see everyone’s body language kind of perk up a little bit, because he was so confident that he wanted the basketball.
"It was just a simple zipper: Give him the basketball and let him go to work."
Colorado State forward Kyle Jorgensen reacts on the sideline after the team's loss to Maryland, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
No. 4 Maryland will now play No.1 Florida in the West Regional semifinals. The game is set for Thursday night, tentatively at 7:39 p.m. ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
