Sometimes, when the dark parts of life sweep our hearts and minds, sports can provide a safe haven. The games can be a diversion from tragedy, and even at their most maddening and gut-wrenching moments, that’s a beautiful thing.
Maybe you, too, were watching Maryland men’s basketball’s Jan. 26 game at Indiana when you heard the news of Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash — heartbreaking, tragic news that’s unbelievable in the most literal sense. And maybe, just maybe, the Terps gave you something to smile about when you needed it.
Maryland trailed by six points with 68 seconds remaining in Bloomington, Ind., Jan. 26. But Jalen Smith got the Terps within four on a driving layup. Maryland’s full-court pressure forced a deflected pass, and Smith came away with the steal. Seconds later, Aaron Wiggins drained a 3-pointer to make it a one-point game. Indiana missed. Smith cemented his career performance with a go-ahead layup. And Indiana missed again, and Maryland escaped with a 77-76 thievery of a win.
