CLEMSON, S.C. – The Terps finally fell back to the planet in today’s first half at Littlejohn Coliseum.
After an incredible shooting run to begin ACC play, the Terps struggled throughout the first 20 minutes against the Tigers.
They shot 37 percent in the half, but with just three offensive rebounds and an offense intent on forcing the issue against the Clemson press, they were no where near as effective as they have been. Greivis Vasquez picked up two fouls in the first three minutes and finished the half with just two points in 10 minutes. They have 12 turnovers.
It was the Terps’ lowest first half output since scoring just 18 points in a loss to Cincinnati back in November’s Maui Invitational.
In turn, the Tigers hit five of their first seven shots and haven’t trailed. If they shot better than 29.7 percent (11-0f-37) and didn’t turn it over 11 times themselves, they could be up by a lot more. Trevor Booker has struggled as well with just 1 point on 0-of-8 shooting. Jerai Grant leads the Tigers, who are without second-leading scorer Demontez Stitt due to injury, with eight points.
They controlled the game of runs and cold stretches that included Clemson’s 13-4 run to start and the Terps going more than six minutes without a point for another stretch.
Jordan Williams has kept the Terps close with a downright Herculean effort given the circumstances: 10 points and 9 rebounds in the first half. Otherwise, it’s been a struggle.
It will be interesting to see how the Terps bounce back in the second half. If they hope to escape Littlejohn with a road win, they’re going to need a big turnaround.
Eric Detweiler is The Diamondback’s Terrapin Men’s Basketball Team beat writer. He can be reached at edetweilerdbk@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/edetweiler.