Nov. 1, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Freshman D.J. Strawberry (Corona, Calif.) and sophomore Chris McCray (Capital Heights, Md.) provided the one-two punch for Maryland's Black team as the Terrapins dazzled and delighted an estimated 2,000 fans at Comcast Center with an intrasquad scrimmage. The young Terp guards meshed well together and combined for 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists over the course of a 20-minute first half that saw the Black team prevail over the Red squad, 45-28.

In all, the Terps played three mini-games (totaling 40 minutes) on Saturday as part of their workout regimen in anticipation of the 2003-04 regular season schedule, which begins in three weeks. Head coach Gary Williams and the Terps remained courtside after the game and signed autographs for the supportive Homecoming Weekend crowd.

"I liked that our intensity level was more consistent today," said Williams of his team's effort in the scrimmage. "Our new players are learning how they have to go hard every play, every day... I like our guys. They are coming to practice every day ready to play."

Strawberry, who finished the day with 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals, keyed the Black team's transition game in the first half. Both teams pressed and ran for much of the day, and four steals by junior Andre Collins (Crisfield, Md.) resulted in explosive breakaway dunks. Senior Jamar Smith (Sicklerville, N.J.), who led all scorers with 24 total points, scored 12 in the first half for the Red team.

"We handled the ball well in transition, and we finished well," said Williams. "When we should have scored, we usually did."

The first ten minutes of the second half featured a union of the Terps' most game-experienced players on the Red squad - Smith at center, forwards Travis Garrison (Suitland, Md.) and Nik Caner-Medley (Portland, Maine), and McCray and John Gilchrist (Virginia Beach, Va.) in the backcourt. Gilchrist (20 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) orchestrated a strong offensive effort as the Red team recorded a 37-12 victory over the course of 10 minutes, while Caner-Medley (23 points, 4-of-8 3-pt. FG) and Garrison (10 points, 7 rebounds) displayed their inside-outside versatility. Junior Mike Grinnon (Huntington, N.Y.) hit a pair of shots from long range and totaled 16 points, while 6-10, 290-lbs. freshman Hassan Fofana (Weston, Mass.) put on a power display for the Black team with a tremendous, two-handed dunk and finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Long, wiry rookie Ekene Ibekwe (Carson, Calif.) stole the show in the final 10-minute period, netting 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting to finish the day with 14 points and six rebounds. Smith gave the crowd one last highlight in the waning moments with a one-handed flush.

The Terps play exhibition games on Nov. 12 and 18 against the EA Sports All-Stars and NBDL-Roanoke, respectively, before opening the regular season vs. American University on Nov. 22 at Comcast Center.

Maryland Combined Statistics - Red-Black Scrimmage

No.  Name               Points-Rebounds-Assists   Steals     Blocks
1    Jamar Smith                24-8-0              1           1
2    Andre Collins              11-4-6              5           0
4    Travis Garrison            10-7-2              2           2
5    D.J. Strawberry            18-8-4              3           0
11   John Gilchrist             20-6-8              4           2
13   Chris McCray               14-4-4              3           0
20   Darien Henry                0-0-0              0           0
21   Mike Grinnon               16-3-1              0           0
22   Nik Caner-Medley           23-2-1              1           0
23   Mike Jones                  7-3-2              1           0
25   Ekene Ibekwe               14-3-1              3           1
31   Will Bowers                 2-2-0              1           0
44   Hassan Fofana              12-7-1              0           1