The Chronicle Resilient Duke drowns Turtles Blue Devils mount incredible comeback in second half, bounce back from 22-point deficit By BRODY GREENWALD The Chronicle
84 MINNEAPOLIS, Unlike the Minn Duke 95 first meeting between Duke and Maryland, there was no surprise comeback Saturday—only a comeback. For the first 13 minutes of the day’s second national semifinal game, theWest Regional champion Terrapins competed with the furor and excitement of a team playing in its first-ever Final Four. The rest of the evening, the Terps (25-11) still looked like they had never been to the Final Four, but only because of their anxious stagnation and stilted offense. After mounting a 22-point advantage during an incredible opening stretch against conference rival Duke (34-4), Maryland tightened noticeably and let the Blue Devils rally for a 95-84 victory Saturday night in the- Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Maryland’s collapse marked the largest halftime lead MATT KLEIN/THE CHRONICLE (11) ever relinquished in an NCAA tourFRESHMAN CHRIS mourns loss MARYLAND WILCOX to the Blue Devils in the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament. Although the Terrapins Saturday’s nament semifinal game. jumped out to a 22-point lead, Duke came back to win 95-84. Although Duke’s tremendous turnaround shattered the morale of a oncebrash Maryland squad, it did not amaze any of the East Regional champions, who said that even down 22 they beBy BRODY GREENWALD lieved they would claw their way back. The Chronicle Duke’s come-from-behind win was the MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. The team’s third this season—all by doublematchup everyone dreamed of in the digits—against the Terps. preseason has arrived at last. “We are Duke and as long as we Before the season began, it seemed keep playing, we know we can come clear that Duke (34-4) and Arizona (28back,” fifth-year senior Nate James 7) were a cut above the rest of the field. said. “We were just thinking about setThey were both deep, talented and their tling down. I think we just lost our rosters were almost entirely intact from composure. Once we regrouped, we got last season. ourselves back together.” Some polls picked the Wildcats on Duke trailed the entire game until top, others went with the Blue Devils. Jason Williams canned a three-pointer But everyone had them No. 1 and No. 2 with just under seven minutes remaining and everyone, even the players, wanted to put his team up 73-72. Williams’ three to see them square off head-to-head. came one possession subsequent to the “We’ve always wanted to play Duke, return of Maryland star Terence Morris, especially when, going into the season, who sat out the half’s first 13 minutes we knew who was going to be No. 1 and with four fouls. The bomb from near the No. 2,” Arizona forward Richard Jeffertop of the key was the only one of nine son said. “We asked our coaches why three-point attempts made by Duke’s Allcouldn’t we just get a one-game scrimAmerica guard, but it was a shot from which Maryland, despite the reappearmage with them just to have some fun with it.” ance of Morris, never recovered. With tonight’s NCAA tournament fiOne play after the final official timenals set for 9:18 p.m. in the Hubert H. out, the game turned dramatically in Duke’s favor. With the Blue Devils ahead Humphrey Metrodome, the one-game scrimmage between Arizona and Duke is by three, point guard Chris Duhon lunged for a steal near halfcourt and finally here, and the stakes are a national championship. came down flat on his back after a brutal “It’s going to be a special night,” Duke collision with Maryland’s Steve Blake. MAH KLEIN/THE CHRONICLE While Duhon was dizzied and laying forward Shane Battier said. “I don’t think you could have two better teams, ARIZONA FORWARD RICHARD JEFFERSON lifts the ball from the hands of Michigan State senior on the floor for several minutes, player See FINAL FOUR in SportSWrap, page 6 � See PREVIEW in SpOltSWTap, page 5 � David Thomas. The Wildcats won 80-61 and will face Duke tonight in the NCAA championship. Maryland
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East meets West in tonight’s final
Students celebrate Maryland win, page 3 � Pro-life
group sparks debate, page
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