Maryland Knocks Off Denver In Round 2 Of NIT

WELLS (Gail Burton/AP Photo)

Maryland used a small lineup to mount a big comeback in a 62-52 victory over Denver on Thursday night in the second round of the NIT.

Dez Wells scored 19 points for the Terrapins, who closed with a 23-4 run after trailing 48-39 with 9:15 left.

Wells fueled the surge with nine points. It was the sixth game in 12 days for the Terrapins (24-12), who won't play again until next week against either Alabama or Stanford.

Chris Udofia scored 24 for the Pioneers (22-10), including 19 during a first half that featured three ties and 12 lead changes. But he got his third foul with 17:55 left and fourth with 8:37 to go.

Seeking its 12th win in 13 games, Denver appeared poised for an upset as the second half wore on. It was 33-all before Marcus Byrd drilled a 3-pointer to spark a 15-6 spree that included a three-point play and a 3-pointer by Brett Olsen.

And then Maryland began its comeback with 7-foot-1 Alex Len and 6-8 James Padgett on the bench.