Jan 4, 2003
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By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Ryan Randle didn't miss a shot, and Steve Blake was virtually flawless in running Maryland's offense.
That was enough to offset an otherwise uneven performance by the 22nd-ranked Terrapins.
Randle tied a school record by making all 10 of his field goal attempts, and Blake had 12 assists to move into 20th place on the NCAA career list as the Terrapins beat Wagner 79-57 Saturday.
Maryland (7-3) was never threatened after the Seahawks missed 12 of their first 14 shots to fall behind 20-4. But the Terrapins know they'll need to play better when they resume play in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
"We got off great, and it looked like it would be pretty easy," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "But we reacted to that the wrong way. We really didn't execute as well as we could."
Williams became so irate that at one point in the second half he yanked all five starters.
"(Wagner) scored quite a few points on fastbreak opportunities," Williams said. "It means the other team is outworking you, and we don't get outworked very often."
Randle's 21 points matched his career high, and his perfect shooting performance tied the Maryland record set on Dec. 23, 1998, by Lonny Baxter against North Texas.
"I just wanted to take the ball up to the rack real hard. I had great position," said Randle, who made both his shots in the first half before scoring 17 points after the break.
Drew Nicholas scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half for the defending national champions, who have won three straight. But Nicholas was 5-for-12 from the field and Blake was 1-for-4.
"Drew and Blake couldn't hit from the outside, so they had to get the hot man the ball," Randle said.
Blake, a senior guard, moved past former Michigan State star Mateen Cleaves on the NCAA career list with 826 assists. Blake did not commit a turnover.
Jermaine Hall scored 26 points for the Seahawks (4-6), who went 4-for-22 from 3-point range, shot 32 percent overall and committed 19 turnovers.
"The turnovers killed us," Wagner coach Dereck Whittenburg said. "I thought our defense was right, but we couldn't make shots at the right time."
Soon after Williams pulled his starting lineup, freshman Chris McCray delighted the crowd by scoring five straight points to put Maryland up 61-38 with 10:32 remaining.
"Your freshmen shouldn't have to be the people to get the seniors jacked up," Williams lamented.
The Terrapins limited Wagner to 24 percent shooting and forced 11 turnovers in taking a 40-21 halftime lead.
Maryland freshman Travis Garrison, making his second straight start, put the Terrapins in front for good by hitting a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 19 seconds elapsed.
The Seahawks missed their first five shots in falling behind 9-0.
It was 13-4 before senior forward Tahj Holden entered for Garrison and scored in the lane, then followed with a 3-pointer during a 9-0 run that made it 20-4.
Maryland then encountered difficulty scoring, going eight minutes with just one basket. Nik Caner-Medley broke the drought with a 3-pointer and Nicholas followed with a three-point play and a layup for a 30-12 lead.
By halftime, Hall was 5-for-11 from the field and the rest of the Seahawks were a combined 3-for-22.
"We made a few more shots in the second half," Whittenburg said, "but we never could really close it. Maryland is a very good basketball team, and when you make a mistake, they capitalize."
