Maryland vs. Norfolk State: Postgame Notes

Jan. 3, 2002

In the last non-conference game in Cole Field House history, Maryland's 92-69 victory extends the Terps' (No. 6 USA Today/ESPN/No. 8 AP) national-leading non-conference home court win streak to 84. The streak now spans over 12 full years, beginning on Dec. 30, 1989, with a 110-91 Terp win over Alcorn State. The Terrapins and head coach Gary Williams will take the streak into the Comcast Center when it opens for 2002-03.

Williams owns a record of 87-1 against out-of-conference opponents since beginning his tenure at Maryland in the 1989-90 season.

Five Terrapins -- Juan Dixon (game-high 17 points), Tahj Holden (16 points), Ryan Randle (12 points), Drew Nicholas (10 points) and Andre Collins (10 points) -- scored in double figures, marking the third time this season (Dec. 27, 2001 vs. William & Mary, Dec. 11, 2001 vs. Monmouth) that the Terps have had as many double-digit scorers.

Led by the individual efforts of Holden and Randle (five blocks each) , Maryland registered 15 blocked shots to Norfolk State's seven, including a 7-3 halftime advantage. It was fourth-biggest biggest "block party"ever and the largest thrown by a Maryland team since the Terps' 16 block effort in a win over UMES on Dec. 1, 1988.

Dixon led the Terrapins in scoring for the seventh time this season with 17 points, and added three assists, one steal and five rebounds. He is the only Terp to have scored in double figures in all 13 games this season.

Collins had a career-night with a career-high 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 11 minutes played.

Senior center Lonny Baxter missed only the third game of his four-year career against the Spartans, sitting out Wednesday after an ankle sprain in Tuesday's practice. Baxter had started 92 of the Terps' last 94 games, including a career night with 32 points last Dec. 23 when Maryland squared off with Norfolk State for the first time in school history. Underclass big men Holden, Randle and Chris Wilcox stepped up in their senior counterpart's absence on both ends of the floor.

Holden scored 11 of his season-high 16 points in the first half. He finished a career-high 6-of-7 (.857) from the field, and contributed six rebounds, five blocks and even two steals.

Randle registered a career-high five blocks -- his first five as a Terp -- to go along with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Junior point guard Steve Blake scored seven points and handed out a season-high tying nine assists. He has totaled nine helpers four other times this season.

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