WASHINGTON — In a four-year high school career in upstate New York, Kevin Huerter gained a reputation as a prolific scorer mainly due to his deadeye 3-point shot.
In a two-game college career at Maryland, the 6-7 Huerter is quickly gaining a reputation as a very good all-around player whose defense might be ahead of his offense so far.
Huerter's two defensive plays in the last 10 seconds of a 76-75 comeback win for the Terps over Georgetown allowed Maryland (2-0) to come back nine points down with 2:21 left and from seven down in the final minute.
When Huerter forced Georgetown forward Tre Campbell to step on the sideline with eight seconds to go, it led to junior point guard Melo Trimble getting fouled in the backcourt and making a pair of go-ahead free throws with 7.6 seconds left.
Then came Huerter's block on 6-3 point guard Jagan Mosely right before time expired set off a wild celebration that started in the middle of the Verizon Center court and continued in the team's lockerroom afterward.
"You know I recruited him as a shot-blocker," joked Maryland coach Mark Turgeon, who got doused by his team with a water bottle shower in the lockerroom. "He was actually a 6-3 point guard when I started recruited him, he's now 6-7, athletic and long. It's amazing what he's done in such a short time."
Asked if ever made a defensive play like that, Huerter said, "Not like that, not nearly at that level for sure."
It marked the second straight game in which Huerter made a key defensive play – as well as a big 3-pointer down the stretch.
In a 62-56 win over American in the season opener last Friday at Xfinity Center, Huerter blocked 6-5 guard Delante Jones on a drive with the Eagles leading 52-49 and then hit the first of two 3-pointers to help the Terps take the lead.
Against Georgetown, Huerter hit a 3-point shot to pull Maryland to within four, 70-66, with 58 seconds to go to help the Terps close the game on a 17-7 run.
After making a couple of game-winning shots in high school, this marked the first time Huerter said he made a walk-off defensive play.
"It's definitely different," he said. "Luckily through high school I wasn't known for my defensive ability. It's kind of nice to have this behind me now. Anytime you make a game-changing play like that, it's obviously awesome."
Except for looking for his shot more, Huerter has shown that he has adjusted well to the college game.
In 25 minutes against Georgetown, Huerter had six points (on 2 of 4 shooting, 2 of 3 on 3-pointers) to go along with five rebounds, two blocks, two assists and a steal. He had no turnovers.
In 30 minutes against American, Huerter had six points (on 2 of 6 shooting, 2 of 2 on 3-pointers) to go along with six rebounds, one block and one assist. He had two turnovers.
Huerter, along with fellow freshman guard Anthony Cowan Jr., started and finished both games.
Chided by Turgeon at some early practices about his defense, Cowan has become the team's defensive stopper on the wing.
"I think I've become a lot better defensively," Huerter said. "That's a huge part of everything we do every day. Coach Turgeon hopefully will tell you I've gotten better on defense. When I got here in September he told me that I definitely got a lot of better. It's definitely something I've worked on."
After scoring 32 points in his Georgetown debut, graduate transfer Rodney Pryor finished with 12 points on four of 12 shooting.
After being Patriot League freshman of the year last season, Jones finished with 10 points on four of 11 shooting.
Huerter guarded both.
"So far we're going based on matchups, they kind of felt that was the best matchup with the guys they put on the court to start," Huerter said. "That could change with every single game but me kinda of being longer and taller, he tells me to contest every shot, don't make it easy on guys. For me, it's definitely taking pride in my defense."