Feb. 20, 2001

Box Score | Quotes | Notes

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Juan Dixon stayed in the weight room until 2 a.m. following Maryland's stunning home loss to Florida State last week.

Dixon pumped iron and contemplated how the 20th-ranked Terrapins had reached the point of getting booed off their home court.

"I decided that night to rededicate myself and start the season all over again," he said. "I vowed to be more aggressive and play with more confidence."

It seems the entire Maryland team has taken that approach.

Dixon was 11-for-12 from the field and matched his season-high with 30 points Tuesday night as Maryland beat North Carolina State 95-66 for its second straight impressive victory.

Steve Blake scored a season-high 15 points and had nine assists for Maryland (17-9, 8-6), which has recovered from a 1-5 slide to regain sole possession of third place in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick told the Terrapins before the game that a team sometimes has to hit rock bottom before ascending to the top. Dixon, who was 3-of-11 from the field and committed six turnovers in the Florida State loss, understood that philosophy.

"I'd never played so bad in my life and I needed some time alone to do some soul-searching," Dixon said. "I've come back a completely different player. I feel stronger and that's probably why I'm shooting the ball better."

Dixon put on a shooting display during an 18-5 second half run that turned the game into a rout. The junior guard made three 3-pointers and an acrobatic layup that resulted in a three-point play as the Terrapins took a 76-45 lead with 9:30 remaining.

"Juan was phenomenal. He's a pure shooter and when he gets on a roll you just know he's not going to miss," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "Juan has been shooting extra after practice for the last week now, and obviously it's paid off."

Dixon has scored 30 points or more five times in his three-year career, putting him in elite company. All-Americans Walt Williams, Joe Smith, Len Bias and John Lucas are the only other Maryland players to accomplish the feat.

"Dixon was sensational. He really put on a show tonight. He was in a groove and we had no answer for him," NC State coach Herb Sendek said.

Maryland, which beat Wake Forest 73-57 on Saturday, shot 58.7 percent from the field and showed off its newfound penchant for making the extra pass with 26 assists. The Terrapins committed just nine turnovers.

"I thought Maryland was exceptional against Wake and it was more of the same tonight," Sendek said. "Maryland is a terrific basketball team with a lot of firepower, and that's been on display these last two games."

Byron Mouton and Lonny Baxter both had 12 points for the Terrapins, who clinched at least a .500 record in the ACC for the eighth straight season.

Anthony Grundy had 15 points to lead NC State (12-13, 4-9), which is guaranteed its 10th straight losing record in the league. Kenny Inge added 11 points for the Wolfpack, who have lost 12 straight at Cole Field House.

Maryland players say they drew motivation from a pregame speech by Billick, who spoke in the locker room at the invitation of Williams. Billick compared Maryland's recent struggles to those of the Super Bowl champion Ravens, who did not score a touchdown while losing three straight games during the regular season.

"Coach Billick gave a great speech that really got us going. Our situation was very similar to that of the Ravens," Dixon said. "He called it `Seeing the abyss.' He told us there was only one way to go from there."

Maryland made its first eight shots in taking an 18-6 lead in the opening 6 1/2 minutes. Dixon had two fastbreak layups and a 3-pointer during an 11-2 run that put the Terps in control.

NC State struggled from the outset, missing 10 of its first 14 shots and committing five turnovers in the opening eight minutes. The Wolfpack shot 31 percent (9-of-29) from the field and trailed 47-30 at halftime.