Postgame Notes: Maryland Vs. The Citadel

Nov. 27, 2002

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With the 97-49 victory, Maryland posted its second win ever (in as many games) in Comcast Center. The Terps ran out to a 24-5 lead by the 11:36 mark in the first half and never looked back, capturing a victory in their first meeting with The Citadel since 1947.

Maryland extended its nationally top-ranked non-conference home court win streak to 86 games. The 12-year streak began against Alcorn State on Dec. 30, 1989 at Cole Field House and has now officially made the move with the Terps to Comcast Center.

At the 11:36 mark in the first half, freshman Chris McCray checked into the game for Steve Blake. He joined Nik Caner-Medley, Travis Garrison, John Gilchrist and Jamar Smith on the floor, marking the first time that all five Terp newcomers were in the game at the same time.

The Terrapins held The Citadel to only 17 first-half points, marking the fewest points allowed in any half since Princeton was limited to 17 in the second half of last season's BB&T Classic first round game (Dec. 2, 2001). The 17 points were the fewest scored by a Maryland opponent in the first half since the Terps led Pittsburgh, 46-17, in the championship game of the Puerto Rico Shootout (Nov. 28, 1998).

In holding The Citadel to 49 points tonight and Miami (O.) to 49 in the season opener, Maryland has allowed 98 points in its first two games of the season. It is Maryland's best start to a season in terms of scoring defense since allowing 91 points to Penn State (53) and NC State (38) to begin the 1966-67 season.

The Terps' 26 point halftime lead was the largest since the Terps-Panthers' match-up on Nov. 28, 1998, as well. Maryland held a 29-point advantage at the break in that contest.

Overall, the Terrapins have won their last 20 home games, including posting a 15-0 victory streak in 2001-02.

With the win, the Terps have tied Maryland basketball's winningest stretch in history. The Terps have won 26 of their last 28 games since Dec. 27, 2001, matching the 26 of 28 span from Nov. 9, 2001 to March 8, 2002. Those games include part of last season's 13-game win streak that concluded in the ACC Tournament.

Maryland forced 30 Citadel turnovers, the most giveaways by a Terp opponent since UMES had 32 on Dec. 30, 2000. Maryland scored 43 points off turnovers, while The Citadel had zero points off Maryland turnovers.

Senior Drew Nicholas scored 17 of his career-high 28 points in the first half to lead the Terps for the second straight game. His previous career high came as a freshman with 27 points against Fairleigh Dickinson (Nov. 22), and his high-point total last season was 15 at Florida State (Feb. 27, 2001).

With five 3-pointers on the evening, Drew Nicholas moved into eighth on the all-time Maryland 3-point chart with a career total of (108). He passed former Terp Laron Profit, who made 105 threes from 1996-99.

With 13 points, five steals and five assists, senior All-America candidate Steve Blake had a solid all-around game. Blake, the nation's active career assists leader, now has 764 career assists, and needs only 17 to reach 781 and break into the all-time top 25.

Freshman forward Nik Caner-Medley had his first big game as a Terp, with 12 points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.

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