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COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- For a while, it looked like Maryland
might suffer another Duke hangover.
Juan Dixon scored 23 points and Lonny Baxter had 21 as No. 3
Maryland bounced back from a loss to top-ranked Duke by holding off
Clemson 99-90 on Sunday night.
"We had to do everything possible to win that game," Maryland
coach Gary Williams said. "We came back and played well enough to
win. I'm not satisfied with how well we played, but teams have lost
these types games this year in college basketball so I was glad to
get the win."
Dixon, held to 10 points in the Terrapins' 99-78 loss to the
Blue Devils on Thursday, hit four 3-pointers to become Maryland's
career leader in 3s with 189. He surpassed the previous mark held
by Johnny Rhodes (186).
After losing to Duke last January, Maryland lost four of its
next five games, culminating with an embarrassing home upset to
last-place Florida State.
Adding to Williams' concern was the fact Clemson beat No. 10
Virginia earlier this season.
"I was worried for those two reasons. Because of what Clemson
did against Virginia and because I knew this game would be tough
after the Duke emotion," Williams said. "We had to put that
behind us and win tonight."
Baxter did most of his close the basket in coming within four
points of a season-high. He shot just 5-for-12 on free throws.
Chris Wilcox notched his third career double-double with 17
points and a career-high 14 rebounds for Maryland (14-3, 4-1
Atlantic Coast Conference). The Terrapins committed a season-low
six turnovers in beating the Tigers for the eighth straight time.
Tony Stockman made six 3-pointers and scored 22 points for
Clemson (11-8, 2-4). Jamar McKnight added 20 points and Edward
Scott had 19 for the Tigers, who tied a school record with 15
3-pointers.
"We knew if we could jump on them early they might get down and
doubt themselves," Stockman said. "Any team coming off a tough
loss is a little vulnerable. We're a good team that can do some
things in this league, and we came in here tonight thinking we
could win."
Clemson outrebounded Maryland 49-37 and trailed only 86-85 with
2:57 remaining. Drew Nicholas scored seven of his 13 points in a
one-minute span to increase Maryland's lead to 93-86 and the Terps
held on from there.
Byron Mouton added 14 points for Maryland and Steve Blake had 13
assists. However, Williams was not happy his team was outrebounded
50-40 and allowed Clemson to shoot 53.6 percent from 3-point range.
"Defensively we have to get more emotional, we were a little
flat tonight and it almost cost us," Williams said. "It's kind of
exciting to outscore the NBA when we play, but that doesn't work
when the other team does too. If we can ever combine that type of
offense with better defense, we have a chance of being a very good
team."
Ray Henderson scored 11 points and equaled a career-high with 13
rebounds for Clemson, which lost its third straight conference
game. Chris Hobbs had 12 points.
Maryland outscored Clemson 10-3 in the opening 4:08 of the
second half to seemingly take control of a back-and-forth game.
Baxter started the surge with an inside power move and Dixon capped
it with a one-handed dunk off a fastbreak that gave the Terrapins
their largest lead at 62-51.
However, Clemson answered with a 12-1 run capped by Dwon
Clifton's layup that tied the game at 62. Five Tigers scored during
the surge, which featured a 3-pointer by Stockman.
There would be five more ties before Clemson moved ahead 81-80
on Sharrod Ford's free throw with 5:39 remaining. It was the
Tigers' first lead since the 5:09 mark of the first half, but
proved to be short-lived as the Terrapins scored on their next
possession to move back ahead and start a 16-7 run.
"I liked the court presence, demeanor and improvement this team
has shown," Clemson coach Larry Shyatt said. "I thought we played
harder and smarter than we had of late. We did an excellent job on
the glass against a talented team. I'm just disappointed we didn't
make more free throws and hit more shots down the home stretch."
It was a high-scoring first half that featured 15 lead changes
as Maryland pounded the ball inside and Clemson countered with
impressive 3-point shooting. Baxter had 13 points and Dixon 12 as
the Terrapins used a late 8-0 run to take a 52-48 halftime lead.
The Tigers hit 11 of 16 first half 3-pointers in the half.
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