Maryland's upset bid denied in 83-74 loss to UNC

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Maryland's quest for a significant, attention-getting victory will have to wait for another day.

The Terrapins put up a heck of a battle against fifth-ranked North Carolina on Saturday, but their bid for an upset ended in an 83-74 defeat.

Terrell Stoglin scored 20 points for Maryland, which held a nine-point lead early in the second half before fading under a barrage of jumpers and second-chance shots by the Tar Heels (20-3, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference).

The Terrapins (13-9, 3-5) have played surprisingly well in their first season under coach Mark Turgeon. Unfortunately, the result on Saturday was depressingly familiar.

"We took on the challenge and made some great plays down the stretch, but we came up short again from getting that signature win, especially at home," said senior guard Sean Mosley, who scored 11 and now has 999 for his career.

Maryland was undone in part by North Carolina's prowess on the offensive boards. Too often in the second half, the Tar Heels missed, got the rebound, missed, got the rebound and scored.

"It's really simple. I've never had more trouble getting a team to be more physical on the box-outs," Turgeon said. "If we just could have gotten a couple more rebounds in there, it might have been a different outcome."

North Carolina finished with a 46-39 rebounding advantage and snared 19 on its own end.

"They got talent, they've got size and they're athletic," Mosley said. "We tried to limit them to one shot. They had a lot of offensive rebounds, which may have cost us the game tonight."

Tyler Zeller scored 22, Harrison Barnes added 18 and John Henson had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Tar Heels. North Carolina's previous biggest comeback this season in a victory was by eight points, at Virginia Tech.

"It's big for us. I think it showed character," said UNC guard Kendall Marshall, who set a Comcast Center record by matching a career high with 16 assists. "We were able to regroup and find a way to get it done."

The Terrapins never led over the final nine minutes, but they kept North Carolina within striking distance until the final 62 seconds.

Barnes, who sprained his left ankle Tuesday against Wake Forest, hurt it again Saturday, coach Roy Williams said.