Nov 24, 2001

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Lonny Baxter had 18 points and 12 rebounds Saturday as the Terrapins methodically pulled away to a 77-53 victory over Delaware State, extending their non-conference home winning streak to 79 games.

The Terrapins haven't lost to a non-ACC opponent at Cole Field House since 1989. Maryland will put the streak on the line Tuesday night against No. 2 Illinois in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Although the arena wasn't filled, and the Terrapins were already thinking about the Fighting Illini, Maryland was simply too talented for Delaware State.

"This was obviously a tough time for us to play, with the students not here," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "We went out there and did enough just to win the game. But we have the type of team that will be ready to play Tuesday night."

The Terrapins weren't overwhelming, but certainly good enough to beat the Hornets.

"We was hoping to play a little bit better today," said guard Juan Dixon, who scored 13 points. "Things will work out as long as we have two good practices Sunday and Monday. We'll be ready for Tuesday."

It was Baxter's first double-double of the season and the 24th of his career. Sophomore Chris Wilcox had 16 points and 10 rebounds, both career highs, for the Terrapins (3-1).

"We have to come out playing better than we did tonight," Baxter said. "We've got to take care of the ball, run our plays and make free throws. We have a lot of work to do."

Maryland led by 16 at halftime and pulled away with a 9-2 run at the outset of the second half.

Andre Matthews had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Delaware State (2-1), which was trying to go 3-0 for the first time since 1973. The Hornets shot 29 percent, going 4-for-22 from beyond the arc.

"We basically wanted to be competitive, knowing we don't have the personnel to compete with Maryland," Hornets coach Greg Jackson said. "The kids played hard, and anytime you do that you give yourself a chance. But we lost the game because of their personnel. You see why they're nationally ranked."

Delaware State trailed 37-21 at halftime after making only eight of 36 field goal attempts (22 percent).

Maryland led 12-11 before Dixon scored five points and Wilcox had two baskets in an 11-3 run that made it 23-14.

Carrington Hightower stopped the surge with a 3-pointer, but Maryland's Steve Blake scored from beyond the arc and Baxter added a three-point play to put the Terrapins up by 12.

Maryland closed the half with a 7-0 run. After the break, Dixon made two technical foul free throws and added a tip-in to give the Terrapins a 20-point cushion.

Although it's tough to argue with a 24-point victory, Maryland was outrebounded in the first half and finished 16-for-31 at the foul line. That won't do against Illinois, and the Terrapins know it.

"We have to defend inside and rebound the ball," Dixon said. "We have to make free throws, too. We definitely have to shoot better from the free-throw line."