Boxscore
Bear Shots
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Morgan State's basketball program had never beaten an ACC opponent, until tonight.
Reggie Holmes scored a game-high 25 points to lead Morgan State to a 66-65 upset victory over Maryland on Wednesday night at Comcast Center before 15,138 fans.
The Terps were held to 26-of-73 (35.6%) shooting as they had their seven-game winning streak snapped, and fell to Morgan State for the first time in school history.
The Bears entered the contest with a 0-5 record against Maryland in a series dating back to 1988.
Maryland (11-3) opened the ballgame with a 9-2 as a result of transition baskets off of missed shots by the Bears. But Morgan State maintained its composure by playing tough man-to-man defense, scoring out of their halfcourt sets, and pounding the glass. Dave Neal's jumper from the baseline as time expired gave Maryland a 36-33 advantage at halftime.
Neal was the most consistent scorer for the Terps and finished with 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
Morgan State (6-8, 1-0 MEAC) miscues early on in the second half helped ignite an 18-2 run by the Terps. Troy Smith's errant inbounds pass was scooped up and hammered down by Adrian Bowie to give Maryland a 54-40 lead with 12:26 remaining.
But the Bears would not go away.
Holmes, who had seven points in the first half, exploded for 18 second half points to help the Bears rally from behind.
Jermaine Bolden nailed a three-pointer to complete a 21-5 run that put the Bears up 61-59 with 2:15 left. After Greivis Vasquez made two free throws for Maryland, Holmes scored on a tip-in to put the Bears back in front.
Following two free throws by Neal to tie the ballgame at 63, Holmes hit his 5th three-pointer of the night to with :49 seconds left on the clock.
The Terps had a chance to tie the ballgame down the stretch when Landon Milbourne made a basket in the lane and was fouled by Bolden with 29.8 seconds left, trailing 66-65. He missed the free throw.
Vasquez' desperation heave in the final seconds fell short to seal the victory, handing the Terps their first home loss of the season.
"I've been watching Maryland all my life," Holmes said. "It means a lot to finally beat them. I can tell my son someday that I beat Maryland. It feels good."
Rogers Barnes finished with 11 points and five steals, while Marquise Kately and Kevin Thompson finished with 10 points each. Thompson also collected his fifth double-rebounding performance as he finished with a game-high 13 boards.
Vasquez led Maryland with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Landon Milbourne finished with 15 points.
The Bears will host North Carolina A&T in MEAC play on Saturday, January 10 at Hill Field House. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
