Hot-shooting Tigers Fall Short at No. 3 Maryland |
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - While there's no such thing as a moral victory, Clemson's
99-90 loss Sunday night at Maryland proved at least one point: When Larry Shyatt's young Tigers put it together, they can make any game interesting. The third-ranked Terrapins (14-3, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) overcame Clemson's long-distance onslaught in the first half and a determined rally in the second to win for the eighth consecutive time over the Tigers. But the outcome at Cole Fieldhouse remained in doubt until inside the game's final two minutes. "Yes we have improved, clearly," Clemson head coach Larry Shyatt said. "But there's a lot of disappointment in that locker room. (Maryland) has an answer at every position. They're not No. 3 for some unknown reason. The talent is there." Leading 52-48 at the break, the Terrapins opened the second half seemingly intent on burying the Tigers before the first television timeout. Clemson (11-8, 2-4) went without a field goal for almost the first five minutes of the half and quickly found itself down by as many as 11 points. But timely 3-point shooting and a ferocious attack on the boards allowed Clemson to battle back, and with 2:47 left the Tigers trailed just 86-85. But Maryland senior guard Juan Dixon hit a pair of big shots within the next minute - including an open 3 from the right wing - to pad the lead and help the Terps pull away for the victory. "We were down (11) there, but instead of folding I thought we took it to them and got back in the game," Shyatt said. "We dominated the glass (64-50 rebounding advantage) against a very talented and experienced ballclub. We had a wonderful opportunity with (2:47) to play, but let it slip away." Dixon, who was held to just 10 points in Maryland's loss to Duke last week, let the Terps with 23 points. Lonnie Baxter added 21. Clemson kept itself in the game during the first half with an amazing display from behind the 3-point arc. The Tigers hit 11-of-16 (69 percent) in the half, with Tony Stockman and Ed Scott nailing four each and Jamar McKnight three. Clemson finished the game 15-of-28 from behind the arc, tying a school record for most 3-pointers made in a game. All five Clemson starters scored in double figures for the second consecutive game, led by Stockman's 22. Scott followed with 20, McKnight 19, Chris Hobbs 12 and Ray Henderson 11. The Tigers hurt themselves from the free throw line, however, hitting just 13-of-23. Clemson is back in action at 8 p.m. Thursday, traveling to Florida State. BOX SCORE
Clemson (11-8) 48 42 90
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