The Maryland Terrapins took the Clemson Tigers to double overtime before losing 77-73 in their last ACC regular season road game ever at Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Tigers made their free throws when it counted and walked away with the victory. The Terrapins made them work for it but, in the end, suffered another heartbreaking defeat in a season full of them. This loss coupled with last minute losses to top 10 teams Duke and Syracuse have hurt the Terrapins’ chances to make the Big Dance.
Instead of making a late season run to impress the NCAA tournament selectors, the Terrapins suffered another damaging loss. They are now 15-14 and 7-9 in ACC play, while Clemson improved to 18-10 and 9-7 in ACC play.
Still, Maryland did show some grit at the end and a crucial defensive stop took the game into overtime tied at 54.
The first overtime ended with a big game-tying three from Terrapin Evan Smotrycz who ended the game with 19 points, and knotted the score again at 62 a piece.
The Terrapins had the momentum going into the second overtime, but just did not execute when they needed to. In the second overtime, the Tigers took the lead for good, at 73-71 with 1:13 to play in the second overtime, on a three-pointer from Damarcus Harrison (10 points). The Tigers made their foul shots while the Terrapins could only manage two free throws the rest of the way by Nick Faust (seven points).
The game was a seesaw affair in the first half as neither team shot well. The Terrapins did have their largest lead of the game at 27 to 18 with 4:47 to play in the first half but the Tigers clawed back and took a 33-32 lead going into the break.
Neither team took control in the second half, although the Tigers had a four point lead five times with the last being 54-50 with 5:03 to play in regulation.
Maryland guard Seth Allen led the Terps in scoring with 20 points. He helped offset a poor shooting day from three-point specialist Jake Layman, who was one for nine from long range and finished with three points.
The Terrapins did win the rebounding battle, 63-47 with Charles Mitchell leading the way with 15. He also contributed six points.
The Tigers were led by K. J. McDaniels who had a monster game. He finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots.
Clemson also got 16 points from Rod Hall, including two free throws with 17 seconds to play in the second overtime to help seal the victory.
