COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Jeff Adkins s:ored 25 points, Adrian Branch 24 and Ben Coleman 22 Wednesday night to boost Maryland to a 106-94 upset of No. 3 North Carolina in an Atlantic Coast Conference game.
The Terrapins, 15-6 overall and 4-4 in the ACC, trailed by six points, 46-40, at the half, but outs:ored the Tar Heels 41-14 over the first 14 minutes of the second half to gain an 81-60 advantage.
North Carolina, 21-5 and 8-1, got 25 points from Michael Jordan, 21 from Matt Doherty and 20 from Sam Perkins.
During the decisive streak, Coleman had nine poitns and Adkins and Len Bias six apiece as the Terrapins wound up with every loose ball and hit on nearly every shot they took.
The North Carolina defense appeared helpless as Maryland dominated the second half. Coleman worked inside while Bias and Adkins lofted soft jumpers over the Tar Heels' defense.
Perkins and Jim Braddock hit jumpers with just over five minutes left in the game to slice the Maryland lead to 86-69. But Adkins hit an off-balance 3-point shot to push the lead to 89-69.
North Carolina remains one game ahead of second-place Virginia in the ACC race while Maryland is in fourth place, a half game behind the Tar Heels.
Although North Carolina held the lead at the half, Maryland hit 16-of-28 shots in the first 20 minutes. However, the Terrapins had trouble containing Jordan.
Branch dominated the first 13 minutes for Maryland, s:oring 17 points and guiding the Terrapins to a 26-20 lead. But Jordan, who hit three of four 3-point shots in the first half, s:ored 12 points during the final seven minutes of the half to allow North Carolina to maintain its early edge.
