Terrapins Find a Building Block

If Maryland finds a way to salvage its season, the play Mike Jones made in the final seconds of regulation yesterday may be fondly remembered by Terrapin fans simply as the Block.

Perimeter defense has been Maryland's most glaring weakness the past six weeks, but the Terrapins twice defended the outside shot in the waning moments -- once in regulation, once in overtime -- to preserve an 87-84 victory against Georgia Tech before 17,950 at Comcast Center.

The Terps (16-9, 6-6 ACC) likely need an 8-8 record in conference play to put them in position to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. With three of their last four games on the road, a .500 mark remains a formidable challenge for a team that has won only one of six road games this season.

But Maryland at least has hope thanks in large part to Jones, who made 8 of 10 shots and finished with a team-high 21 points. His block at the end of regulation, however, proved bigger than any shot he took in the game and perhaps bigger than any shot he has taken this season.

With the score tied at 78 in the final minute of regulation, Maryland point guard D.J. Strawberry dribbled near midcourt until less than 10 seconds remained on the shot clock. At that point, he drove and passed to Jones, who dribbled inside and flipped a pass to Nik Caner-Medley, who had a decent look at a shot near the basket.

But Ra'Sean Dickey blocked Caner-Medley's shot with six seconds left, which prompted a fast break in the other direction. Jeremis Smith took the rebound the length of the floor and found Zam Fredrick near the three-point line.

As the game clock approached zero, Fredrick released a shot that could have won the game. Out of nowhere came Jones, who blocked the shot out of bounds as the buzzer sounded, sending the crowd into a tizzy.

"I guarantee he couldn't have made that play three weeks ago," Maryland Coach Gary Williams said. "That's what playing a lot of minutes does for you. Mike is a great athlete, and that was a great athletic play."

Jones said he saw Fredrick open so he raced downcourt as fast as he could.

"I knew I was not going to touch him with my body," Jones said. "I was worried I might touch him with my hand, but as soon as he released the ball -- perfect timing."

Defense has been Jones's primary weakness since he arrived in College Park three seasons ago, but he has made gradual progress.

"I'm known for offense," Jones said, "but tonight I felt my defense played a big role."