Maryland-Michigan State: Terps Upset No. 6 Spartans

The Maryland Terrapins stunned No. 6-ranked Michigan State Thanksgiving night, getting an 18-point win over the Spartans in the Old Spice Classic. 

The Terps were up by as many as nine points in the first half, but Michigan State was able to cut the lead to three at halftime and even came back and took a four-point lead in the second half.  However, Maryland rallied to regain the lead with 13:25 in the second and never relinquished it, with the final score 80-62.

Michigan State senior center Goran Suton sat out due to injury, and junior forward Raymar Morgan only played 14 minutes due to foul trouble.  The Spartans could not establish a strong inside presence against the undersized Terrapins, with only 20 points in the paint compared to Maryland’s 34.

Maryland was able to be successful by limiting Michigan State on the offensive glass, only giving up 11 second chance points.  Michigan State hurt themselves by shooting only 44.4 percent from the line.  Maryland’s strong perimeter defense held the Spartans to only 22.2 percent from three.

The Terps were led by senior Dave Neal, who had 17 points and was a perfect three for three from three-point range coming off the bench.  Greivis Vasquez also added 17 points and six assists, and Eric Hayes and Adrian Bowie each poured in 13 for Maryland. 

The Spartans were led by Travis Walton, who scored 16 points, shooting 80 percent from the field in the losing effort. 

Maryland gets the chance to upset another top-10 opponent when they take on No. 10 Gonzaga on Friday at 5:30.  A win would get them to the finals, where they would play the winner of Tennessee/Georgetown. 

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