Jones, Maryland down Duke

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/01/2007 - Durham, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Maryland moved from the proverbial bubble to NCAA Tournament sleeper in a matter of four days, as Mike Jones scored 25 points in a 85-77 victory over 14th-ranked Duke.

After struggling to find an identity through an up-and-down conference campaign, the 24th-ranked Terrapins (23-7, 9-6 ACC) capped a six-game winning streak -- all against conference opponents -- with a pair of resume builders.

Not many programs can point to back-to-back victories over North Carolina and Duke.

Maryland now can after sweeping the season series from Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, no small order especially on Senior Night. The Terps stormed back to stun the Tar Heels, 89-87, in College Park on Sunday.

D.J. Strawberry continued his stellar play of late with 17 points, Ekene Ibekwe also donated 17 points and Greivis Vasquez totaled 13 points and 12 assists.

The Blue Devils (22-8, 8-7) saw their four-game winning streak come to an end due in part to some shoddy foul shooting in the final few minutes. Trailing by five points with about three minutes on the clock, Greg Paulus and Gerald Henderson each missed the front end of a 1-and-1 to hurt chances of a comeback.

Paulus scored 20 points for the Blue Devils, who rallied from 12 points down to a deadlock before falling down the stretch.

The freshman Vasquez made a veteran play with a floater over Josh McRoberts to give Maryland a 66-64 lead with just over five minutes to play, a lead it didn't relinquish.

Strawberry buried a three after a DeMarcus Nelson offensive foul then converted another running layup over McRoberts' outstretched arms for a 71-64 edge with just under four minutes remaining.

After a Paulus jumper, the Blue Devils experienced the foul shooting difficulties that contributed to defeat.

The Terrapins held a 44-38 edge at the break thanks in part to a pair of Vasquez three-pointers in the final 90 ticks.

Duke saw the deficit reach 12 points before storming back to square the game at 64-64 on Jon Scheyer's three-pointer. Scheyer scored 10 points, while Nelson tallied 17 and Henderson donated 15.

Game Notes

The Duke University Board of Trustees on Friday approved naming the $15.2 million Center for Athletic Excellence for men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski...Maryland swept Duke for the second time in three years...The Terrapins shot 52 percent from the floor and committed just 13 turnovers...Duke shot 42 percent from the floor...The game featured seven ties and six lead changes.

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