Tucker stole the ball again and Vasquez made a runner over Delvon Roe to give Maryland an 81-80 lead with 31 seconds left, its first since the opening minutes.

“We were just pressing and guys were getting some easy buckets, and we had our intensity up,” Hayes said.

Green scored with 20 seconds remaining to put the Spartans up by one. But Vasquez scored again, setting up the thrilling final sequence.

“The kid made a big play,” said Vasquez, who added eight assists and four rebounds.

Jordan Williams, who had a big game in Maryland’s first-round win over Houston, was limited to 10 points and 10 rebounds. Hayes had 18 points for the Terrapins, who were outrebounded 42-24.

Lucas began hopping on one leg and keeping his left foot off the ground after making a runner and landing awkwardly on his left leg near the baseline with 2:28 remaining in the first half. As play continued at the other end, he hopped down court on his right leg while wincing in pain. He tried to defend the ball before officials gave him an injury timeout.

The junior then hopped to his bench. After a trainer looked at his lower left leg for a moment, Lucas hobbled into a tunnel that leads to the locker room.

“I just came down the wrong way,” he said.

2010 men's NCAA tournament Quick guide to the teams, players, more

Michigan State led by nine when Lucas left the game. He remained out at the start of the second half, and wasn’t even on the bench until 12½ minutes remained. The Spartans’ lead had grown to 15 by then, thanks to Summers’ shooting.

Allen, a 3-point specialist, did not start because of a foot injury. He entered midway through the first half, moved stiffly for a couple of minutes, then left the game and remained on the bench into the second half.

Also on NBCSports.com   NHL: 'Pressure is a good thing,' Rangers' Lundqvist says NBA: Can the Celts close out the 76ers?  |  Stop Rondo! Castrodale: Celebrating the tomboys of Title IX Follow us on Twitter: @NBCSports  |  And Facebook