Jan. 19, 2000

Box Score| Quotes

By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - No. 24 Maryland made sure this game didn't come down to a last-second shot.

Lonny Baxter scored 12 of his 18 points in a game-opening 24-4 run as the Terrapins finally came up with their first Atlantic Coast Conference victory of the season, defeating Wake Forest 73-51 Wednesday night.

Juan Dixon had 18 points and reserve forward Taj Holden contributed a career-high 17 for the Terrapins (12-5, 1-3), who never trailed in emphatically ending a three-game losing streak.

Two of those losses were by a total of three points. This time, the outcome was all but decided early in the second half.

"I was really pleased with our effort. To get your first (ACC) win is especially exciting for our new guys," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "Going in 0-3, there was a lot of pressure to play well. It might have been a critical game for us, who knows? Everything looks a little better now."

Maryland may pay a price for the victory - forward Terence Morris hurt his left ankle late in the game and limped off the court with the help of a team aide.

"Hopefully he's OK," Williams said. "He twisted it. I don't know how bad it is. Usually with an ankle, you know more the next day."

Darius Songaila scored 14 points for Wake Forest (11-6, 2-3). The Demon Deacons, who averaged an ACC-best 14 turnovers per game, had 13 by halftime and finished with 20. They shot just 29 percent, including 2-for-10 from 3-point range.

Leading scorer Robert O'Kelley was 1-for-9 and backcourtmate Craig Dawwson missed six of nine shots.

"We had some kids who had some rough nights, there's no denying that," Wake Forest coach Dave Odom said. "They looked out of sync."

The game was eerily similar to last season's matchup at Cole Field House when Maryland raced to a 32-10 lead en route to a 23-point rout. This time, Maryland once again took command early and led comfortably throughout.

"We really needed this game," Baxter said. "We've been hanging our heads and a needed something like this to get back on track."

Plagued by poor shooting during its three-game slide, Maryland made its first nine shots for an 18-2 lead with four minutes elapsed. Songaila then scored for the Demon Deacons, but two dunks and a follow shot by Baxter made it 24-4.

"Maryland looked about as comfortable shooting the ball as any team possibly could," Odom said. "They hit some good shots. Give them a lot of credit."

Minutes later, Baxter scored on a drive to put the Terrapins up 29-10. At that point, Baxter was 7-for-7 and Wake Forest was 4-for-20 with 11 turnovers.

The Demon Deacons then reeled off eight straight points and trailed by only 10 at halftime.

Songaila scored the opening basket of the second half to make it 37-29, but Wake Forest would get no closer. Baxter scored in the lane and Morris added a three-point play to spark a 9-0 run that put Maryland up by 17.

It was 49-36 before Holden, a seldom-used freshman, made two free throws and a three-point play to give the Terrapins an 18-point lead with 8:52 left.

"I just got the opportunity tonight and made the most of it," Holden said. "If I get the minutes, hopefully I'll continue to play well."