Stanford Off Just Enough for Maryland

Stanford’s Ryan Mendez, who had missed only five of 97 free throws in 33 previous games, made two of four Saturday.

The Cardinal shot a season-low 41.1% from the field to 58.2% for Maryland.

It was that kind of day for Stanford in its 87-73 loss to Maryland in the West Regional final at the Arrowhead Pond.

“A lot of our shots just seemed to roll around and bounce out,” Mendez said.

It was a disappointing end to a superb season for seniors Mendez, Jarron Collins and Michael McDonald.

But it also was a matter of everything falling into place for Maryland at just the right time in its run to the Final Four.

“They might have played as good as any team we’ve seen all season,” Stanford guard Casey Jacobsen said. “The worst part is that we didn’t give it our best effort.

“They shot unbelievably well against us, but we have to blame our defense for some of that too. We have to live with that. You can’t let a team with that many weapons do what they want.”

Maryland junior center Lonny Baxter dominated the Cardinal inside with a 24-point effort, and 6-foot-10 sophomore forward Tahj Holden came off the bench to score 14.

“You have to give a lot of the credit to Maryland,” Stanford center Jason Collins said.

“It seems like one of their players would keep stepping up huge for them when they needed it. That’s the way good teams are supposed to do.”

Stanford Coach Mike Montgomery also was impressed with Maryland’s effort.

“They played great,” Montgomery said. “Every time we made a play, they had an answer. Maryland disrupted our offense. We had one stretch in the first half where they had a run, and we could never get back from that.”

Part of Stanford’s problem was that it had to play too much of the time without the Collins twins in the lineup at the same time because of fouls.

“Maryland played five big guys, and they don’t care if they get in foul trouble,” Montgomery said. “Jason got only seven shots and we came off the bench at only [6 feet 6]. Foul trouble is going to catch up with you if you do not go that deep.”

Jason Collins played 29 minutes and Jarron played 24.

“When I was in foul trouble, we didn’t have as much size for them to have to shoot over,” Jason said.

Mendez said the Cardinal season, and 31-3 record, shouldn’t be judged on its last game.

“Everyone who was a part of this team knows how special this season was,” Mendez said. “We’re disappointed right now, but it’s been a dream to be part of this team. I’m mad that we lost, but they had a phenomenal game and we didn’t.”