CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Remember that anything is possible, even with a team that has lost 12 of its last 13 games. Led by 42 combined points from their fabulous freshmen, the No. 11 Eagles stormed back from an early first half deficit to stun the No. 6 Maryland Terrapins, 71-68. BC's small hopes of winning the ACC tournament and gaining an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament remain alive, as they moved on to the quarterfinals to face No. 3 Clemson Friday.
"It is just an indication of what the potential of the team really is. We knew this was a one-and-done, and what we've done previously is that we have gathered some experience even through our close losses," said head coach Al Skinner.
Early defensive pressure from Maryland prevented BC from getting into an offensive rhythm, and the Terrapins went on a 13-0 run to jump out to a quick 20-5 lead in the game's first six minutes.
The Eagles refused to fold, however. With seven points from Rakim Sanders and four from both Josh Southern and Shamari Spears, the Eagles battled back to trail Maryland by six at the break, 31-25.
Shooting woes plagued the Eagles in the first half. They shot a combined 30.3 percent from the field, compared to Maryland's 52.2 percent.
The second half did not start well for the Eagles either. Maryland senior James Gist helped the Terrapins surge out of halftime, hitting a 3-pointer and a jumper to put them up by 11.
Unfortunately for the Terrapins, the real Tyrese Rice decided to show up. Constant pressure from the Maryland defense rendered him ineffective in the first half, as he shot one-for-seven from the field and finished the half with only two points.
The Eagles soon went on a run, and with nine points from Rice and a layup by Biko Paris with 12:54 left, the Eagles had their first lead since the opening minutes of the first half, 41-39.
Maryland came back to take the lead again, but a 3-pointer by Sanders at 6:52 put the Eagles up, 52-50.
2008 Woodie Awards
