Dec. 27, 2000

Box Score

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.- - The University of Maryland women's basketball team (9-2) jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first seven minutes and never looked back, beating Santa Clara (7-3) 72-50 on their home court in California Wednesday night. The Terps' opening run was keyed by two early baskets by Rosita Melbourne (Washington, D.C.), who finished with a game-high 14. Julie Butler broke the drought for Santa Clara before back-to-back baskets by junior Deedee Warley (Fort Washington, Md.) and sophomore Terri Daniels (Ellicott City, Md.) stretched the lead to 13. A balanced effort offensively, and a stiffling defense that held the Broncos to 20-percent shooting and only 18 points, took Maryland into the half up 20 points.

The Terps came out slow in the second half, going scoreless the first 3:30 minutes. Santa Clara was unable to capitalize on the drought, however, and closed the gap to only 18 points before Maryland's Marche Strickland (Kingston, Mass.) scored three of her 12 points to break the scoreless stretch.

Maryland's defense allowed the Broncos to get as close as 13, but the Terps held on for the win, paced by 10 points from sophomore forward Renneika Razor (New York, N.Y.) in the last six minutes of the contest.

For Maryland, the 72-50 win marked the sixth time this season the Terps have held their opponent to 50 or less points. The Terps are now 9-2 with San Francisco ahead Thursday night to round out the non-conference schedule. Santa Clara falls to 7-3 on the year with the loss to Maryland.