Second Round Recap – Phoenix Region
(5) Syracuse 72, (4) Maryland 70
The third meeting in NCAA Tournament history between the two previous national champions was a dandy, as Maryland made a late rally to get within one point before a last-second jumper fell short as Syracuse held on for a 72-70 win in Denver.
Syracuse (23-7) got 26 points and 9 rebounds from Hakim Warrick, 13 points and 6 assists from Gerry McNamara and 10 points and 12 rebounds from Craig Forth, but they nearly blew a 16-point lead in the second half. The game was in some ways a microcosm of Maryland’s season, as the Orangemen were in command early and had a 32-22 lead at the half. Nearly seven minutes into the second half, they had their biggest lead, going up 54-38.
The Terrapins (20-12), who committed 17 turnovers, weren’t finished, as they would eventually get within 61-54 with under seven minutes to play. The Orangemen would appear to put the game away, going back up by nine with just under two minutes to play, before consecutive layups by Travis Garrison (16 points, 9 rebounds) and John Gilchrist (7 points, 6 assists) made it 69-64. Forth missed two free throws, but McNamara hit two with 29 seconds left to make it 71-64.
Maryland then scored six unanswered points, capped by a driving layup by D.J. Strawberry with 9 seconds left, cutting the lead to 71-70. McNamara, a nearly automatic free throw shooter, was fouled and made just one of two free throws to set the final score, as Strawberry’s shot from the lane at the buzzer was no good.
Jamar Smith had 16 points and 8 rebounds to match Garrison for team-high honors.
