“I’m not big on individual performances usually, but what he did tonight was exceptional,” said Maryland’s head coach Gary Williams about Vasquez’s performance Monday night. “I think he really wanted us to get off to a good start. He was really focused. What he did the first half there that was as good as I’ve seen in a half, against a quality team here at the University of Maryland.”
Monday’s game, which had originally been scheduled for February 10, was postponed due to historic snowfall in the Washington D.C. area last week. Despite having just one day off following their loss to Duke, Maryland was able to rebound against the Cavilers, quickly putting the loss behind them, while exploding for 52 points in the first half.
The Terrapins’ first half production of 52 points almost matched their game total from Saturday’s loss at Duke, in which they recorded just 56 total points. The offensive outburst also came against one of the better defensive teams in the conference, as the Cavilers surrender just over 60 points per game.
Maryland jumped out to an early 6-0 and led the game from start to finish. Virginia didn’t record their first basket until almost three minutes into the game, as sophomore guard Sylven Landesberg hit a three pointer to cut the early Terps’ lead down to three. But the Terps responded with a 10-2 run that pushed their lead up to 11 with 10:36 remaining in the half.
The entire half, Vasquez seemed as if he couldn’t miss from the floor, as he and fellow senior guard Eric Hayes tormented Virginia with give and go screen plays that resulted in easy layups.
“We didn’t guard a simple up-screen,” said Virginia’s head coach Tony Bennett. “We were a step behind just trying to beat a simple pin-down screen. “
After Virginia again cut the lead down to three, Maryland again responded with an 11-0 run that pushed the lead to 14. Vasquez and Hayes capped off the run by scoring in transition, as Vasquez dish out a no-look, across the body pass to a wide-open Hayes, who drained a three pointer as the near capacity crowd at the Comcast Center erupted in applause and cheers.
The Terps closed out the first half with an 18-point lead, one that Virginia never again challenged for the remainder of the game.
Freshman Jordan Williams of the Terrapins looks to score underneath the basket. Maryland trounced Virginia 85-66 at the Comcast Center in College Park, MD on Monday, February 15, 2010. Alan P. Santos/DC Sports Box
Freshman center Jordan Williams continued his outstanding play for the Terps, recording another double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Senior forward Landon Milbourne also performed well, recording 14 points on 7/11 shooting. Eric Hayes also scored in double figures with ten points, and was one assist away from a double-double as he recorded a game high nine assists while turning the ball over just two times.
The Terps continued to methodically build their lead in the second half, pushing it as high as 29. And while it seemed in the first half that Vasquez might challenge for Maryland’s individual game scoring record of 44 points, the senior guard didn’t score until the 8:24 mark in the second half, making a jump shots that pushed Maryland’s lead up to 24. Vasquez then drilled a three point basket a few seconds later and gave a high-five to former Maryland great Steve Francis, who happened to be sitting courtside for the game, as Vasquez transitioned back onto defense.
The high-five seemed to articulate the determination of Maryland senior players to move on from their last loss and to come out and win while still having fun while doing so.
“I mean, it’s big because it’s not the end of the world when you get a loss” said senior forward Landon Milbourne. “Not many teams in the country ever go undefeated in the whole season. We had a loss and we came out here tonight and had a win.”
Maryland also received excellent production from their bench, with nine different players seeing significant playing time throughout the game. The Terps bench finished with 20 points, with Cliff Tucker and Dino Gregory each scoring seven points.
Head coach Gary Williams knows that he can rely on his senior leadership to help his team around following a tough loss.
“They have been through the feeling of making the NCAA tournament last year [to]reading in the paper that they weren’t good enough to play in the ACC. So they’ve had every level that you could have of criticism and praise and the same people that praised them were the ones that criticized them so you learn that quick and it toughens it up” Williams said. “It’s a great ride with these three seniors.”
Virginia was lead by Mike Scott and Jeff Jones, who each scored a team high 16 points for the Cavilers. Sylven Landesberg finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
Maryland now turns their attention to NC State, who the Terps will face on Wednesday in Raleigh.
“We’re going to face a good team, NC State” Vasquez said. “We can’t really get overconfident but we have to bring a little swagger and play our game.”
