Maryland again falls to Clemson

Another ugly loss has put Maryland’s NCAA tournament streak in jeopardy once more.

The Terrapins lost to the ACC’s worst team last night for the second time this season as Clemson beat them 97-93 at Comcast Center for its third conference win of the season. It also was the Tigers’ most points ever in a regulation ACC road victory.

“It’s very disappointing, to say the least,” Maryland coach Gary Williams said. “I thought we’d come in and be aggressive … but we couldn’t do it back-to-back [games].”

Maryland (16-9, 7-7 ACC) probably must win one of its two remaining games to qualify for the NCAA tournament. No.2 North Carolina visits Maryland on Sunday after beating the Terrapins 109-75 on Jan.9. The Terps then end the season at Virginia Tech on March5.

Only three ACC teams have failed to reach the NCAAs since 1992 after winning eight conference games. Maryland made it last year at 7-9, though its ACC tournament championship earned an automatic bid. Still, the Terps clearly are concerned that they have stretched their credibility before the tournament selection committee to the limit.

“It’s coming to the point of the season where we’ll lose and go home,” forward Nik Caner-Medley said.

Maryland is tied with Miami and Georgia Tech for fifth in the ACC, the last seed which receives a first-round conference tournament bye March10. Maryland has the tiebreaker edge over Georgia Tech, but Miami gets the nod over the Terps.

Clemson’s victory wasn’t especially surprising considering Maryland has been up and down all season. The Terps haven’t won or lost more than two straight in the conference. However, Clemson’s first series sweep in eight years after losing 13 straight to the Terps was a real downer. It was also Clemson’s first victory at Maryland in nine years.

“I think they weren’t expecting us to come out like that,” Clemson center Sharrod Ford said. “I think they probably think [Maryland’s earlier loss] was a fluke at Clemson, but we just hit them with the first blow and it was just like we shocked them.”

Ford, a Suitland native, made his final hometown college game memorable, leading Clemson (13-13, 3-10) with 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks. Caner-Medley topped Maryland with 23 points. Guard Chris McCray added 21 and forward Travis Garrison 16.

The Terps opened so badly that Williams pulled his starters after trailing 8-2 just 2:19 into the game. The second five were equally bad as Williams put the starters back in nearly three minutes later with Maryland losing 16-4.

“I was disgusted,” Williams said. “We weren’t moving, we weren’t doing anything. The [reserves] didn’t make any difference.”

Comcast was a tomb. Fans were numb with disbelief that Clemson could sweep Maryland in a season in which the Terps swept Duke. Clemson ran the lead to 22-8 before Maryland finally showed spark on guard John Gilchrist’s 3-pointer. The Terps went on 10-3 and 11-4 runs, but Clemson still led 49-39 at halftime.

“All year long, teams have taken [Clemson’s] confidence early,” McCray said, “but we’re the one team that let them get going early and gain confidence. When you’re young, if you get going, it gives you confidence for the whole game.”

Both teams quickened the pace at the start of the second half. Clemson sought a knockout blow, while Maryland desperately tried to rally. The Tigers played with confidence rarely shown this season, knowing they beat the Terps once in the same fashion. It seemed every time Maryland made a run, Clemson pounced on a mistake to turn the momentum.

Maryland closed within five points several times in the final minutes. Each time Ford seemed to counter with a basket, block or free throw. Guard Cliff Hammonds’ dunk with 27.4 seconds remaining sealed the win at 96-89.