Terrapins Get Crazy in Cameron
Struggling U-Md. Deals No. 2 Duke 1st Loss of Season: Maryland 75, Duke 66
By Eric Prisbell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 27, 2005; Page D01
DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 26 -- Late Wednesday night, a brief message was scribbled on the grease board in Maryland's cramped locker room at Cameron Indoor Stadium: "We're Back."
The Terrapins had endured a month of hardship, losing to three North Carolina schools by a combined 65 points. But they responded in thunderous fashion, with their best performance of the season, proving that, on a given night, they can beat anyone in the nation.
Maryland guard John Gilchrist raises his hands in victory to the crowd at Cameroon Indoor Stadium. (Gerry Broome - AP)
Maryland's 75-66 victory over second-ranked and previously undefeated Duke before 9,314 fans was a signature victory for the program. Coach Gary Williams felt some locals had already written off his team after a humbling home defeat to North Carolina State on Sunday.
"We've struggled a little bit this year with our identity," Williams said. "But we have pride in our program."
Maryland (12-5, 3-3 ACC) again was carried by Nik Caner-Medley, who scored a game-high 25 points. The junior, who has averaged more than 24 points in his past five games, scored nine of Maryland's first 11 points in the second half and was, according to Williams, "brilliant."
Caner-Medley said he was fueled by the Duke fans, who incessantly heckled and mocked him about an offseason arrest. "Oh, my goodness gracious," Caner-Medley sighed. "This was like a synchronized chant."
Added Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski, "If there is one thing that won the game, it was that his desire to win was great."
Caner-Medley spent the game's final two minutes on the bench after spraining his left ankle, covering his eyes at times during the close to a game that was as hotly contested as last season's ACC title game between the teams won in overtime by Maryland.
Williams made two lineup changes Wednesday, choosing to start guard Mike Jones and center Will Bowers instead of the usual front-court tandem of Travis Garrison and Ekene Ibekwe. Garrison and Ibekwe had been erratic and Williams wanted a smaller lineup against the Blue Devils, who dropped to 15-1 and 5-1 in the ACC.
Despite beginning the game on the bench, Ibekwe and Garrison scored all 11 of Maryland's points, nine of which came from free throws, in the final 1 minute 24 seconds to seize control of a game that had been tied moments earlier. In the final moments, point guard John Gilchrist kissed Garrison on the head.
Said Ibekwe, "I knew I had to make those free throws or we would probably lose."
Tuesday, Maryland players received encouragement from three former Terps and current Washington Wizards -- Steve Blake, Juan Dixon and Laron Profit -- who showed up unannounced at Maryland's practice.
"They told us it looks like we're not having as much fun as we should," Caner-Medley said. "They are in the NBA, and they miss college every day. They tried to instill that in us, how important it is to take advantage of the moment."
The Terps demonstrated that from the opening jump ball. One of Williams's chief concerns heading into the game was not withering early, as Maryland had against N.C. State. The Terps did the opposite against Duke, taking a 23-16 lead, then withstanding a 16-3 Duke run.
Williams was also concerned with containing Duke sharp-shooter J.J. Redick. Redick scored 13 of his team-high 20 points in the first half.
In the second half, Chris McCray did a stellar job shadowing Redick, who was in constant motion curling around screens. Redick, the ACC's leading scorer, made only 3 of 12 second-half shots and turned over the ball eight times overall.
Williams termed Maryland's overall defense "tenacious," as it held Duke to 31 percent shooting in the second half. Williams also applauded the floor game of Gilchrist, who had 10 points and nine rebounds.
Williams and Gilchrist both relish games like these. Duke, after all, was one of three undefeated teams in the nation and Krzyzewski was celebrated for succeeding with an injury-plagued team that lacked depth.
"I like playing as an underdog," Gilchrist said, "and proving everybody wrong. This is going to help us out in the eyes of many."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Jan26.html
One of the few games I've enjoyed this year.
