Coach Gary Williams at Friday's postgame press conference. Photo by Allison Akers/The Diamondback
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Terps trailed Georgia Tech by 16 points at halftime here Friday night.
Just more than six minutes into the second half, the Terps trailed by two, 46-44, after a flurry of forced turnovers and momentum building moments. The 19-5 run over the first 6:22 of the half made it seem as if coach Gary Williams’ team was on its way to another comeback win.
But the Terps couldn’t get over the hump. There weren’t any late-game heroics left, at least not Friday. The Terps had nine shot attempts with an opportunity to tie or take the lead in the final 12:29 of the game. None of them went down. A couple rimmed out.
“We had a bunch of chances,” guard Eric Hayes said. “A bunch of other guys missed some shots that we usually make and it’s a little frustrating when you use that much energy to get back in the game, within two points, and you just can’t get over the top.”
In a season in which so many of those game-defining moments went their way – from Cliff Tucker’s buzzer beater against the Yellow Jackets back in February to their manic 12-0 second-half run against Clemson – the Terps might have been due for a letdown.
Now they’ll have some extra time off to try to recapture the magic.
Aaron Kraut is The Diamondback’s sports editor. He can be reached at akrautdbk@gmail.com.