Jan. 14, 2001

Box Score

By BRENT KALLESTAD
Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Maryland used experience and strength to get back on the winning path Sunday.

Juan Dixon scored 19 points and Terence Morris and Lonny Baxter dominated the backboards as the 14th-ranked Terrapins bounced back from a loss at home to North Carolina with a 76-55 victory over Florida State.

"We tried to hurt them down low because we had a size advantage," Maryland guard Steve Blake said. "We haven't played well in the second half lately. We finally did today."

The 6-foot-9, 220-pound Morris was just 1 of 12 and finished with 5 points but had a game-high 14 rebounds, while Baxter had 12 points and 13 rebounds to help the Terrapins to a 54-37 advantage on the boards.

Dixon hit 9 of 14 shots, while Byron Mouton hit 5 of 8 for the Terps and finished with 15 points.

Neither team shot well and both made more turnovers than assists, but Maryland's inside play kept Florida State in foul trouble throughout the game.

"We toughed it out," the 6-8, 260-pound Baxter said.

Florida State's leading scorer, freshman Michael Joiner, fouled out without scoring.

"He's going to go through some growing pains," Florida State coach Steve Robinson said.

Fouls also limited Florida State center Mike Mathews to just 11 minutes and 4 points.

Maryland (12-4, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) led 36-28 at the half on the way to its 10th straight victory over the cold-shooting Seminoles.

Florida State (5-11, 0-3) pulled within 36-32 in the first 33 seconds of the second half, but Maryland pulled away with an 18-6 run to take a 54-38 lead with 8:27 left.

It was a needed victory for the Terrapins, who lost 86-83 Wednesday at home against North Carolina.

Adrian Crawford led Florida State with 13 points, while Antwuan Dixon added 11 and Delvon Arrington 10.

The Seminoles hit only 31.3 percent of their shots, losing for the third straight time in ACC play by more than 20 points.

"It's a very tough stretch," said Robinson, who now leads Florida State to Virginia before returning home next Saturday against North Carolina.

"I have yet to get this group working together like it should in all parts of the game," Robinson said. "You try not lose focus and make sure they understand we've got to compete while trying to get better."