Late 10-0 run triggers win over Hurricanes
For Maryland first-year coach Mark Turgeon, success has come in incremental steps. After going 0-7 against teams ahead of them in the ACC standings, the Terrapins had a chance for another stepping stone Tuesday against Miami.
Recommended Stories
With an inspired late comeback, led by senior guard Sean Mosley and junior forward James Padgett, Maryland took another step with a 75-70 victory over coach Jim Larranaga and the Hurricanes.
Maryland appeared on the verge of another close-call loss as Miami led 66-61. But when senior Sean Mosley (15 points, six assists, five rebounds) drilled a 3-pointer with 1:35 left, it triggered a 10-0 run that turned defeat into victory.
“Obviously that’s a great win for us,” Turgeon said. “That’s an NCAA Sweet 16 team.”
Maryland (16-11, 6-7) did it at both ends during the run, stuffing Miami (16-10, 7-6) on three straight possessions in the final two minutes and scoring on their final six possessions, including a three-point play by Padgett (16 points, six rebounds) with 44 seconds left that gave Maryland the lead for good.
On Miami’s ensuing possession, freshman Nick Faust (eight points, eight rebounds, four assists) used his quick hands to force a turnover from Durand Scott. Moments earlier, it was another freshman, forward Ashton Pankey, who blocked a shot and retrieved the loose ball after a scrum, setting the scene for Padgett’s clutch go-ahead play.
“We’re growing up as a team,” Turgeon said. “I’m really, really proud of them.”
Maryland made its final 12 free throws of the game, including four in the final 22 seconds by sophomore Terrell Stoglin (20 points) and four in the final 28 seconds by Mosley.
“That’s the kind of win that hopefully will carry over the rest of the year and in the future,” Turgeon said.
Miami was led by junior Kenny Kadji (16 points, eight rebounds) and Scott (14 points), but Maryland did a stellar job against agile, 300-pound junior center Reggie Johnson (three points, four rebounds). After getting outrebounded in the first half 21-14, Maryland won the battle of the boards 36-31.
“Yeah, we talked about it, but we’ve talked about it all year,” Turgeon said. “It doesn’t count as three wins, but it sure feels like it tonight.”
Maryland showed patience in the opening minutes, working for good shots and making six of its first seven. Padgett scored three times from the paint and Stoglin added a 3-pointer that made it 13-3. But Miami dominated the next 12 minutes, doing a little bit of everything in the half-court — hitting 3s, driving the lane and pounding the offensive boards.
Senior Malcolm Grant scored all eight of his first-half points on three straight possessions, igniting a 14-1 run that Kadji topped off with two put-backs sandwiched around a pair of free throws as Maimi took its biggest lead 32-24.
“It hurts. We were right there,” Larranaga said. “We ended up losing the rebound battle and that’s the difference in the game.”
