By Bud L. Ellis
It looked like the Maryland Terrapins had clawed all the way back from a big second-half deficit in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
But six seconds was just enough time for Michigan State to snatch away a trip to the Sweet 16. Korie Lucious nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer, and the Terps season came to a painful end in an 85-83 loss in the second round of the NCAAs in Spokane, Wash.
Maryland (24-9) trailed 67-51 with 12 minutes left. The Terps were struggling with their shooting (43.9 percent from the field on this day) and could not slow down Michigan State.
But Maryland found one more surge, and it nearly was enough for an improbable comeback. Senior guard Greivis Vasquez, who led the Terps with 26 points, scored nine of Maryland’s final 11 points. His basket with six seconds to go gave Maryland a slim 83-82 lead.
The Spartans had just enough time though, and Lucious hit the biggest shot of his life.
Eric Hayes added 18 points for the Terps. Landon Milbourne scored 11, and Jordan Williams pitched in 10 points and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds for the ACC regular season co-champions.
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Monday, March 22, 2010 at 5:35 pm by bud
Tags: Atlantic Coast Conference, Eric Hayes, Greivis Vasquez, Jordan Williams, Korie Lucious, Landon Milbourne, Maryland Terrapins, Michigan State, NCAA Tournament
By Bud L. Ellis
The glow of a 24-win season and a share of the ACC regular-season championship will shine brightly one day for the Maryland Terrapins.
But not this soon, not after their stellar season ended on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in the NCAA Tournament. Korie Lucious nailed a 3-pointer as time expired, and Maryland’s surge from 16 points down in the second half fell short, the Terps losing 85-83 in the second round of the NCAAs in Spokane, Wash.
Maryland (24-9) finished its stellar season by losing twice in three postseason games. This one was the most painful.
The Terps struggled mightily for most of the day. They trailed 67-51 with 12 minutes left and teetered on the brink of being blown out.
But senior guard Greivis Vasquez fueled a frantic surge back into this one. He scored a team-high 26 points, including nine of Maryland’s final 11 points. His basket with six seconds left gave Maryland an 83-82 lead.
That was just enough time for Michigan State to get into the frontcourt and get the ball to Lucious, who knocked down the game-winner jumper to send the Spartans into the Sweet 16 and send the Terps into the offseason.
Eric Hayes added 18 points for Maryland, which shot just 43.9 percent from the floor and could not come up with an answer for the Spartans’ offense for most of the day. Landon Milbourne added 11 points, and Jordan Williams posted a double-double with 10 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
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at 5:33 pm by bud
Tags: Atlantic Coast Conference, Eric Hayes, Greivis Vasquez, Jordan Williams, Korie Lucious, Landon Milbourne, Maryland Terrapins, Michigan State, NCAA Tournament
By Bud L. Ellis
Twenty-three victories this season, 13 of those coming in Atlantic Coast Conference play. A No. 19 ranking in the nation.
There is plenty to feel good about if you’re the Maryland Terrapins entering the ACC tournament. But when the Terps take the floor to open tourney play against Georgia Tech in Friday’s quarterfinals at Greensboro Coliseum, they know one bad performance can leave quite a bitter taste in their mouth.
That feeling hasn’t been experienced by Maryland in quite some time. The Terps have won seven games in a row, not having lost since a 77-56 loss Feb. 13 at Duke. Maryland extracted some revenge on the Blue Devils on March 3, downing Duke at home 79-72, and finished the season tied with the Blue Devils atop the ACC at 13-3.
Maryland enters the postseason with victories in nine of its past 10 and 13 of its past 15 games.
Tech reached the quarterfinals by knocking off North Carolina on Thursday, 62-58.
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Friday, March 12, 2010 at 7:35 pm by bud
Tags: Atlantic Coast Conference, Cliff Tucker, Georgia Tech, Greensboro Coliseum, Greivis Vasquez, Maryland Terrapins
