Dec. 23, 2002

Recap| Box Score| Notes| Photo Gallery

Maryland Head Coach Gary Williams
Opening statement:
"It was good to play again. When you lose a game, you like to get back on the court as quickly as possible. We had a whole week of finals, just practicing, so I think the players were glad to get back on the court against somebody else. We knew UMBC would come in and compete like they did against Villanova. They had a 3-point lead against Villanova at halftime. They know how to play, and I've known Tom Sullivan since he was P.J. Carlissimo's assistant at Seton Hall when I was at Boston College, and he obviously can coach.

"Our depth really paid off as the game went on. Our young guys, and players new to the program, really supported the veterans. I think the veterans react to the way the guys come into the game and sub for them. Our young guys played with a lot of energy tonight. I thought our veteran players really responded."

On the Terps' intensity:
"At the start of the second half, there was some great basketball. When you play intensely for 20 minutes, you don't know the effect on the other team. In other words, when you are able to play nine or 10 guys in the first half, that intensity level might not show up until the second half, so maybe we caught them a little tired. It allowed us to get the looks we were able to get."

On the play of the Terp freshmen:
"I think the freshmen feel good about the way they played, and that's important. The veteran guys can handle a tough loss, like the Florida game, a little better. The young guys' confidence isn't built on what has happened the last few years, so they probably needed this win."

On the play of Travis Garrison:
"Travis let it go a little tonight. When you are a freshman, there is a tendency to try and remember everything, rather than just play. Now that he has been able to play a couple games, tonight I thought Travis just played."

UMBC Head Coach Tom Sullivan
On Maryland's defensive effort:
"They were much too physical for us on the inside. I thought their pressing strategy really rattled our kids. When they picked up the intensity on defense it started a slew of turnovers. One they picked up the defense with about nine minutes to go in the first half, they seemed to maintain that plan the rest of the game."

On keeping the game close early:
"I think they were shaking the cobwebs off. They had some time off and their offense really wasn't in sync. Where we got hurt was when they played full court defense, and with their half-court trapping and pressing. Once they turned it up a notch we couldn't respond."

On Maryland's Ryan Randle scoring 11 straight to start the second half:
"I think Randle is a big player with potential to be a pro. We tried as best as we could and we didn't want to double-down and get burned by the 3-pointer. But I think this was one of those games where you choose your poison."

On Maryland's development:
"I think they are very good this year - obviously they were outstanding last year. I think they are managing right now to develop their big kids. I think once those big kids develop, they'll have the same impact that last year's big kids had."