Maryland-North Carolina: Terps Stun Tar Heels, Vasquez Scores 35

Greivis Vaquez led the Maryland Terrapins to their biggest win of the season, an 88-85 win over the  No. 3 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, as he scored a game high 35.

From the start of the game you could see that he really wanted to win this game, as he keep the Terps close early by scoring his team's first 16 points. 

As half time approached, the Tar Heels had managed to gain a double digit lead.  However, the Terps had a run of their own and after Cliff Tucker hit a 3-pointer the home team had the lead down to 9, going into the locker room. 

An Adrian Bowie's last second three-point attempt as the half ended nearly fell, and would have had the Terps down by only six points. 

After intermission, the Tar Heels scored first and later took a 16 point lead.  Some fans thought the game was out of reach, but others had faith.  Ther Terps started another run, but after Landon Milbourne was whistled for his 5th foul, things didn't look good.

However, the Terps begin to make some stops and the three-point shot started to fall.  Before you knew it the score was 76-70 with 1:38 seconds to play and the Terp fans were giving all the support they could.

After a Ty Lawson turnover and a Tyler Hansbrough foul, Hayes and Vasquez scored  back to back, to make the score 76-74. 

Danny Green's jumper missed and Vasquez took the ball to the basket and scored on a driving lay-up, to tie the score.

Lawson missed a jumper to send the game into overtime and the place was rocking.

At the start of the overtime, Tucker scored for Maryland, Green scored for the Tar Heels and the score was tied again at 78-78.  Vasquez and Lawson scored on back-to-back three-pointers and the score was tied again at 81-81. 

Vasquez hit another three-pointer and the Terps led 84-81, with 1:16 to play in overtime. 

After Wayne Ellington's three-point attempt missed, the Terpsr tried to run the clock down, but Lawson made a steal.   Vasquez fouled Lawson and he converted both free throws and the score stood 84-83.  

With seconds remaining Hayes was fouled.  Hayes, one of Maryland's top free throw shooters, made both shots to give his team a 86-83 lead.  The score was 86-85 after Ellington made two free throws. 

Vasquez was fouled next.  The ACC's leading free throw shooter calming sank both shots and the Terps held an 88-85 lead.

Time expired after Lawson loss possession of the ball near court and the fans stormed the court.  A great victory for the Maryland Terps.  A much needed win, if they are going to make the big dance. 

Vasquez not only has a great scoring game, but he finished with a triple double, collecting 11 rebounds and 10 assist.  Other keys to the game was the play of the bench and the shooting of the three-point shot.  Tucker and Hayes had the hot hands, scoring 22 and 17 points, respectively.  Milbourne played well on defense, scored six points and had four rebounds, before fouling out. 

The Terps were out rebounded 51-40, however they made up for it with their great shooting, finishing with13 3-pointers.  As a team, the Terps had 10 blocks, 18 assist and went 13-17 from the free throw line. 

The Tar Heels got 24 from Lawson, 18 from Green, 14 from Ellington, 13 from Deon Thompson and Hansbrough added 11.

 Maryland is now 17-9 overall and 6-6 in the ACC.  The loss drops North Carolina to 24-3 and 10-3 in the ACC.