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Terps beat Michigan State 62-60 in final.

Nov. 18, 2006

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NEW YORK (AP) -- D.J. Strawberry scored 17 points for Maryland, which shot 55 percent from the field in beating Michigan State 62-60 on Friday night to win the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

The Terrapins (5-0) were able to win despite scoring just two points over the final 3½ minutes and survived a hectic ending.

Michigan State (4-1) used a 6-2 run to get within 62-59 with 1:21 to play. Each team turned the ball over and Maryland called a timeout with 12 seconds to play and 4 seconds left on the shot clock.

The Terrapins inbounded the ball near midcourt and freshman guard Eric Hayes was forced to let go a long 3-point attempt as the clock ran out. It appeared the ball missed the rim, which would have been a violation, but Michigan State's Idong Ibok grabbed the rebound.

He turned with the ball with his arms raised and was called for an offensive foul.

Strawberry, selected the tournament's MVP, missed two free throws with 4.5 seconds left.

Michigan State's Drew Neitzel was fouled with .2 seconds left before he could get a shot attempt off. He made the first free throw and missed the second on purpose but the Spartans couldn't get off a clean tip.

Neitzel, whose driving layup with 2.4 seconds left gave Michigan State a 63-61 victory over No. 19 Texas in the semifinals, finished with 20 points, 16 in the second half.

Maryland shot 62 percent in the first half (13-for-21) before cooling off a bit in the second half to finish 23-for-42.

Neitzel hit a 3 with 5:19 left to get the Spartans within 52-51, but Mike Jones and Greivis Vasquez each hit a 3 in an 8-2 run that put the Terrapins up 60-53 with 3:42 left. James Gist, who had 14 points, capped that run with a dunk with 3:42 left, Maryland's last field goal of the game.

Maryland, which crushed St. John's 92-60 in its semifinal, forced Michigan State into 18 turnovers, three off its average for the first four games of the season.

The tournament is sponsored by 2K Sports.

 

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