Nov 12, 2002

Box Score| Quotes

By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - No joke, the defending NCAA champions are still talented enough to beat the Harlem Globetrotters.

Drew Nicholas scored 32 points and Tahj Holden had 22, and No. 13 Maryland never trailed in a 97-79 exhibition victory Tuesday night.

The Terrapins, playing their first game since beating Indiana in the NCAA championship final, wasted a 15-point lead. But six straight foul shots by Nicholas made it 72-66 with 7:22 left.

After the Globetrotters closed to 77-75, Steve Blake hit a 3-pointer to spark a 9-2 run that put Maryland up by nine.

Blake finished with six 3-pointers and 21 points.

Steve Blake finished the night with 21 points, including six three-pointers.

The Globetrotters made a name for themselves with their madcap antics against hand-picked opponents, but over the past three years have played serious basketball in exhibition games against college teams. They are 13-4 in those contests, including 3-2 this season.

Despite Tuesday's defeat, the Globetrotters' all-time record stands at 20,939-338.

Former NBA starter Cedric Ceballos led the Globetrotters with 23 points.

Maryland lost four starters from a team that went 32-4 last year, but Nicholas and Holden are expected to join Blake, the lone returning starter, in the Terrapins' quest to defend their first NCAA championship.

Nicholas, who takes over for standout guard Juan Dixon, went 8-for-12 from the field and 13-for-13 at the line. He also had a team-high 11 rebounds.

Nicholas scored 16 points and Holden added 11 as Maryland took a 45-41 halftime lead.

Maryland led 10-7 before Holden hit a 3-pointer to ignite a 14-4 run that included two lay-ups and a 3-pointer by Nicholas.

After the Globetrotters cut the margin to eight points, Blake made a 3-pointer and Nicholas followed with a four-point play to put Maryland up 37-22.