Maryland defeated Kansas, 97-88, in the semifinal game of the NCCA Final Four tournament Saturday night in Atlanta.

Maryland (31-4) advances to Monday’s national championship game, where the Terrapins will face the Indiana Hoosiers, who beat Oklahoma, 73-64, earlier Saturday night.

Kansas finishes the season with a 33-4 record. The Jayhawks will return to Lawrence for a welcome home celebration at 4 p.m. Tuesday in KU’s Memorial Stadium.

Kansas began the game by streaking out to a 13-2 lead in the first four minutes. Maryland, however, led by Juan Dixon’s 19 first-half points, chipped away at KU’s lead and went into the locker room up by 7.

In the second half, Maryland caught fire and went up by 20 with 6 minutes left in the game. But Kansas then began clawing back and came back to within 5 points with 2 minutes left to go.

The key to the Terps’ offense was Juan Dixon, who finished with 33. Nick Collison led Kansas with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jeff Boschee scored 17 points and Drew Gooden added 15.

Aaron Miles scored 12 points and dished out 10 assists. He only shot 1-for-7 from the floor, but hit 10 of his 12 foul shots. The rest of the team only hit 11 free throws out of 19 chances.

For more tournament coverage, stories, photos and video, come back to this Web site on Sunday, or pick up a copy of the Lawrence Journal-World.