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Vasquez's triple double helps Maryland stun UNC

Feb 22, 2009 - 2:11 AM COLLEGE PARK, Maryland (Ticker) -- If Maryland was to register a marquee win for its NCAA Tournament resume Saturday, it was going to need a big-time performance from Greivis Vasquez.

The Terrapins got that and more from the junior as Vasquez recorded the third triple-double in program history with 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as Maryland shocked third-ranked North Carolina, 88-85, in overtime Saturday.

"I didn't know until (Maryland radio play-by-play announcer) Johnny Holiday told me while he was interviewing me," Vasquez said of the triple-double. "It's a blessing and I'm thankful. I don't have any words to describe this feeling right now, but I have a big game on Wednesday (Duke) so I have to go back to work tomorrow."

Maryland (17-9, 6-6 ACC) trailed by as many as 16 points in the second and were behind, 76-67, with just 1:55 to go. But Cliff Tucker started the comeback when he sank a 3-pointer and Vasquez converted a layup after a steal to pull Maryland within five.

Following an offensive foul on Tyler Hansbrough, Eric Hayes scored on a layup and Vasquez sent the game to overtime on a driving bank shot with 12 seconds left.

"We turned it over three times in a row," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said. "We haven't turned it over like that all year long. But we did today."

Vasquez, who registered Maryland's first triple-double since Derrick Lewis on February 17, 1987, drained a pair of 3-pointers in the overtime to lift Maryland to the upset win.

The Venezuelan made 13-of-24 shots from the field, including 5-of-10 from long range for a Maryland team in desperate need of a win to improve its tournament chances after a blowout loss to No. 13 Clemson Tuesday.

"After a while, you could really see that it was one of those days that he (Vasquez) was really shooting the ball well," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "For a while there, he was our leading rebounder for our team, so the rebounds have been there on a consistent basis. Then the assists - he's a great passer."

It did not appear the Terrapins would get that victory against the Tar Heels, who opened a 50-34 advantage on a pair of free throws by Wayne Ellington with 15:02 left in regulation.

The Terrapins hung around and actually pulled to within five at one point, but a layup by Ellington put the Tar Heels up, 76-67, with under two minutes to go in the second half.

Ty Lawson paced North Carolina (24-3, 10-3) with 24 points while Danny Green added 18 and nine rebounds and Ellington scored 14.

"Greivis (Vasquez) had a heck of a game," Ellington said. "He made shots and got his team going. On the other hand, we were flat out there. We were being selfish and weren't playing as a team."

Tucker set career highs with 22 points and five 3-pointers and Hayes scored 17 off the bench for the Terrapins, who held a 41-5 advantage over the Tar Heels.

"This was just a great team effort. You hear that clich??, and it is a clich??, but it's a good clich?? because you can't win against a team that's ranked No. 3 in the country without a team effort," Gary Williams said.

Hansbrough had just 11 points on 4-of-12 from the field and grabbed 11 boards.