COLLEGE PARK - The streak is over, and the soul-searching is under way for the Maryland Terrapins.
By rolling into Comcast Center yesterday and silencing a sellout crowd with a gritty, 69-64 victory over the defending NCAA champions, the 14th-ranked Florida Gators did more than end Maryland's 87-game winning streak at home over nonconference opponents - a nation-best run that spanned nearly 13 years.
The Gators, led by freshman reserve guard Anthony Roberson's game-high 20 points and sparked in the end by his clutch three-pointer with 2:56 left in the game, shook No. 18 Maryland to its core.
The Terps (4-3), who engaged the Gators in a contest that featured 13 lead changes and got an eye-opening performance from freshman point guard John Gilchrist, were left shaking their heads with self-doubt after Florida (7-2) stared them down and held its composure while protecting a second-half lead over the game's final 16 minutes.
Maryland has yet to beat a team currently ranked. This loss cut the Terps deeply. The pain showed in the eyes of senior guard Drew Nicholas, who scored 13 points but committed a game-high five turnovers and was ineffective in a five-point second half. It showed in the post-game whispers of senior point guard Steve Blake, who managed only five points and produced just one of his six assists after halftime.
And it showed on the grim face of coach Gary Williams, who figured there would be days like this with a team learning its way.
The Terps were beaten once again because they failed to do the little things that loom large in tight games. Too many times, Florida battled harder for loose balls and earned second-chance shots. Too many times, the Terps showed a lack of poise at the free-throw line, where they missed seven of 11 shots. Too many times, they settled for questionable shots and could not convert, while the Gators kept making big shots.
"We're right there, as far as having a chance to win these games," Blake said. "We just can't get it over the top. I'm sorry I was here to be a part of the team that lost the streak. We're not doing the little things we used to do last year. We've got to start doing them if we want to win close games."
Maryland, which lost for the first time overall at home in 22 games, has much to work on, as it settles in for a nine-day break during final exams before facing UMBC on Dec. 23. And eventually, the Terps must beat a ranked opponent.
"We have to stop that trend. We have the talent to get a good win instead of feeling like this," said Nicholas, who shot 5-for-15, has made just 10 of 34 shots in Maryland's three losses and committed several turnovers down the stretch yesterday.
"We've had three big games so far, and I haven't shot the ball well in each of them. I'm one of the guys who has to get it done," he added. "Losing this game isn't the end of the world. But for the next nine days, we have to hear all of this chitter-chatter from people saying the program is going down."
The Terps will continue to go down against quality opponents if they don't buckle up inside.
Senior center Ryan Randle (18 points, 10 rebounds) notched his second career double double, but he provided Maryland's only consistent rebounding presence. And Randle missed the two free throws he took in 33 minutes. Senior power forward Tahj Holden had seven points, three rebounds and missed his lone foul shot in 33 minutes. Freshman forwards Travis Garrison and Nik Caner-Medley were no factors.
Conversely, Florida senior forward Matt Bonner (16 points, 12 rebounds) and sophomore center David Lee (13 points, eight rebounds) pounded away on the glass, combining for 10 rebounds on the offensive end.
"Rebounding is not all about athletic ability," Williams said. "It's about going after the ball. Every loose ball is important, especially with this team.
"We did a lot of things right in the first half, except [Florida] got 12 points on second shots. That really hurts in a close game. And when you're at home, you don't expect to shoot only 36 percent from the foul line. It's pretty tough to take when you shoot at least 50 free throws a day in your home gym."
Among the few bright spots for the Terps was a breakout performance by Gilchrist, who came off the bench in the first half and sent a bolt of energy through the arena and the Maryland offense. He collected 10 points, four assists, four rebounds and did not turn the ball over in a career-high 22 minutes.
Gilchrist broke down the Florida defense with drives and terrific passes, sparking Maryland on an 8-0 run that answered an early 14-4 spurt by the Gators and gave the Terps a 22-17 lead with seven minutes left in the half. The lead would change hands six more times after that, before the Terps took a 34-33 halftime lead on a runner by Blake as time expired.
But Maryland lacked energy to start the second half, while Bonner and Roberson sent the Gators on their way to a 48-40 lead with 13:15 left. The Terps rallied, pulling to within 61-59 with 3:24 left on a follow-up hook shot by Randle. But the Terps could not make the big play after that. The Gators did.
Roberson, who made four three-pointers, killed the Terps with his final three from the left corner, making it 64-59 with 2:56 to go. Freshman forward Matt Walsh then made five of six free throws, while Maryland endured a late, three-minute stretch without a basket.
"It's my job to figure out a way to get us over that hump," Williams said. "We have to really fight to defend ourselves. That's good. Bring it on. That's the way it should be."
Next for Terps
Matchup: No. 18 Maryland (4-3) vs. UMBC (3-2)
Site: Comcast Center, College Park
When: Dec. 23, 8 p.m.
TV/Radio: Comcast SportsNet/WBAL (1090 AM)