No. 2 Maryland Cuts Stanford Down to Size

Maryland has spent the early part of the season answering questions.

Would junior college transfer Steve Francis spoil the chemistry on a team with three veteran starters returning?

How would the Terrapins react when they played good teams after an easy early schedule?

Would they be able to come through in a close game rather than the blowouts they created?

The last of the answers came Sunday when No. 2 Maryland beat No. 5 Stanford, 62-60, in the opening round of the BB&T; Classic at Washington behind Francis’ career-high 24 points.

The Terrapins (9-0), who won their first eight games by an average of 32.8 points--none closer than 16--will face DePaul for the championship tonight at the MCI Center. DePaul advanced with an 87-79 victory over George Washington.

“You always want to win but when you do have a close game against a team that good you have to do good things down the stretch,” Maryland Coach Gary Williams said. “We weren’t perfect, but I always say that in the final five minutes of a game you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to play tough and smart.”

Maryland took the lead for good at 59-57 with 1:22 to play on two free throws by Francis. After a turnover by Stanford, Laron Profit made a free throw with 20 seconds left, his first point of the game. Another Stanford turnover led to a breakaway dunk by Profit with 11 seconds to play.

The Cardinal (4-2), who lost to No. 9 North Carolina in the final of the Preseason NIT, got within 62-60 on a three-point basket by Arthur Lee with 5.9 seconds to play, but when Maryland inbounded the ball Stanford was unable to foul any of the Terrapins.

Tennessee 56, No. 20 Pittsburgh 53--Tennessee wasn’t at its best offensively, so the Vols turned to defense in Knoxville.

“I thought the defense by both teams was outstanding,” said Tennessee Coach Jerry Green after his Vols held the Panthers to 31% shooting.

Tony Harris led Tennessee (6-2) with 17 points. Pittsburgh (7-2), which entered the game averaging 78 points, got 20 points and 13 rebounds from Isaac Hawkins.

Tennessee made seven of eight free throws in the final four minutes, and the Vols held the Panthers to three points in the same span.

Tennessee got two free throws each from Harris and C.J. Black and one from Aaron Green to secure the victory.