TCU Concludes Season With Loss To Maryland in NIT Quarterfinals

Corey Santee

Corey Santee led TCU with 21 points while Nile Murry added 20, but the Horned Frogs were defeated by Maryland, 85-73, in the quarterfinals of the NIT.

TCU (21-14) stayed close with its 3-point shooting. The Horned Frogs made 11-of-29 long-range shots - but made just one basket overall in the final 6:50 as the Terrapins clamped down defensively.

Caner-Medley took charge down the stretch for the Terrapins, scoring eight of his 20 points in the final minutes and help Maryland advance to the NIT semifinals for the first time since 1972.

Caner-Medley started the late charge on a driving jumper with just over three minutes left that gave Maryland a 71-68 lead. After a basket by Chris McCray, Caner-Medley hit a 3-pointer and three free throws for a 79-72 lead with 47.8 seconds left.

McCray made six free throws in the final minute as Maryland scored 16 of the game's final 21 points.

Five Maryland players scored in double figures, including Mike Jones and McCray, both of whom scored 18 points. Sterling Ledbetter turned in another strong effort at point guard, replacing the injured John Gilchrist (ankle/wrist) and getting two points, six assists and six rebounds.

The game featured several runs by both teams. Maryland used a 14-point first-half run to take a 41-30 lead and appeared in command.

But TCU answered with a 23-6 streak that gave it a 53-46 lead with 15:21 left. The Terrapins couldn't score for the first 4:08 of the second half but battled back after that dry spell.

The 3-point shooting of Santee and Murry kept TCU close early. Santee made five 3-pointers while Murry added three more. The Horned Frogs made 9 of 18 3-pointers in the first half, but Maryland held a 44-43 lead at the break.

"The 3-point shots, that's about normal for us," TCU coach Neil Dougherty said. "We don't really have a low-post game. We still were able to slip in there a few times, but it wasn't enough."