Jackets pressure no. 4 Maryland but come up short

ATLANTA - Juan Dixon scored 26 points and made a crucial steal and pass in the final minute, helping No. 4 Maryland escape with a 92-87 victory over Georgia Tech on Sunday.

The Terrapins (13-2, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) built a 16-point lead less than 10 minutes into the game but struggled to hold off the Yellow Jackets (7-10, 0-4).

Georgia Tech got as close as 68-67 on Halston Lane's basket with 8:02 remaining and shaved the margin to two points on seven occasions in the final 4{ minutes. Maryland never relinquished the lead, however.

The Yellow Jackets had their best chance to even things up after Lane made two free throws with 1:01 left, then Robert Brooks stole a bad pass into the lane from Lonny Baxter.

Georgia Tech broke the other way, but Dixon stole the ball back from Tony Akins at midcourt. The Maryland guard then threw a perfect lob to Chris Wilcox, who slammed in the clinching dunk with 26.4 seconds to go.

The Yellow Jackets might have pulled off the upset if not for a 25-of-40 performance at the foul line. Maryland, on the other hand, connected on 29-of-37 free throws - missing just two of 22 attempts in the second half.

Dixon was all over the court for the Terrapins. He made five 3-pointers, including one from nearly 30 feet with the shot clock running down late in the first half. The 6-foot-3 senior also had 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Dixon also took over fifth place on Maryland's career scoring list with 1,823 points, moving past Tom McMillen.

Akins, who also hit five 3s, led Georgia Tech with 24 points. Four of his teammates scored in double figures as the Yellow Jackets shot 55 percent in the second half.

Baxter scored 23 points for Maryland, drawing repeated fouls when he got the ball on the inside against the smaller Yellow Jackets. He made 11-of-14 free throws.

The Terrapins started the game as though they planned a repeat of Wednesday's 112-79 rout of North Carolina. Having little trouble breaking Georgia Tech's press, Maryland knocked down one easy shot after another. Baxter's layup with 10:28 remaining had the Terps in command, 27-11. Maryland led 48-35 at the half.