For the first 29minutes and 30 seconds, Greivis Vasquez (Montrose Christian) was a leader, but his failure to act like one with 10 minutes, 30 seconds remaining played a major role in Maryland suffering an 81-78 loss to Boston College on Sunday night at Comcast Center.
The Terrapins? leading scorer fouled out with 10:30 remaining after the sophomore guard compounded his fourth foul by showing his displeasure to the official, who promptly accessed him a technical foul. It was Vasquez?s fifth foul, transforming him from the team?s biggest scoring threat to its biggest cheerleader in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener.
Vasquez?s teammates almost found a way to win without him, cutting a nine-point, second-half deficit to 78-77 following James Gist?s (Good Counsel) three-pointer with six seconds remaining. But that?s as close as the Terrapins would get, as the Eagles made three free throws to secure the victory.
Referees left the court to a showering of profanity and boos from the capacity crowd of 17,950 ? and Maryland exited the arena with a record of 6-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
“It was tough,” Maryland coach Gary Williams said. “We probably could have played better in the first half, and that cost us an opportunity at the end of the game.”
Maryland struggled to find its offense in the first half, and Boston College (7-1 overall, 1-0 ACC) held a 25-22 lead at intermission.
Maryland went on a 17-5 run to open the second half, grabbing a 41-35 lead with 13:09 to play. But with Maryland leading, 43-39, Vasquez?s fouls were converted in to four made free throws to tie the game. Corey Raji made a three-pointer on Boston College?s next possession, and the Eagles never trailed again.
Maryland turned to guard Eric Hayes (Potomac, Va., High) in Vasquez?s absence, and the sophomore responded with 13 points, including two three-poiners and seven points in the final minute of play. Gist scored a team-high 18 points.
Boston College was led by junior guard Tyrese Rice?s game-high 19 points, and Raji added 17, including going 3-of-3 from three-point range.
GAME TIME CHANGE
» The game time for Maryland?s game against Delaware on Dec. 28 has been moved from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate the Terrapins? football team, which plays Oregon State in the Emerald Bowl at 8:30 p.m. Both games can be heard on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network, 106.7 FM.
