When Greivis Vasquez pulled up for a three-pointer with 3:52 remaining in overtime, heartbeats stopped all over Comcast Center. When his shot went down to give Maryland a 68-65 lead, he turned to his appreciative student section with a smirk. Itwasn?t pretty, but Maryland prevailed.
The Terps survived Northeastern, 74-72, in overtime Thursday, improving to 3-0 for the fourth time in the last five seasons and the tenth time in Gary Williams? tenure in College Park.
The Terps hit 31-of-46 free throws in the game, including 8-of-10 in overtime.
“The constant here has been how hard we play,” Williams said. “If we get back to that, we can be a very good basketball team.”
With Matt Janning on the line with 4.9 seconds left in regulation, Northeastern (0-2) had a chance to tie. Janning, who scored 26 points, missed his second two shots and the Terps escaped with the win.
Senior forward James Gist scored a career-high 27 in the win, but it was clear Maryland must step up its play for its next opponent.
No. 2 UCLA (3-0) awaits the Terps in the semifinals of the O?Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic at 7 p.m. Monday in Kansas City, Mo.
If not for some clutch free throw shooting late in regulation Thursday, there would have never been overtime. Northeastern led by six with 9:40 left in regulation, but the Terps shot 12-of-15 from the free throw line to get back into the game.
It was the Terps second all-time meeting with Northeastern (0-1). Maryland defeated the Huskies, 84-72, on Nov. 23, 1985. Maryland is now 51-3 all-time against Colonial Athletic Association opponents.
Gist scored 14 first-half points, including the first 11 of the game for Maryland. He also added five rebounds. Bambale Osby scored 16 points with 13 rebounds.
Vasquez, the Terps? leading scorer entering Thursday, was held to no points in the first half. He scored six of his nine points in overtime.
NOTES: Junior forward Dave Neal missed Thursday?s game after dislocating his left shoulder in Monday?s 70-64 win over Hampton. Results of an MRI on his shoulder are pending ? Redshirt freshman Jerome Burney missed Thursday?s game after sustaining a cut to his eye during Wednesday?s practice. The 6-foot-8 forward is expected to be available for Monday?s game with UCLA.
