Nov 25, 2003

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By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Jamar Smith reached career highs with 19 points and 13 rebounds, and John Gilchrist sparked a second-half surge that carried Maryland past George Mason 79-64 Tuesday night.

Nik Caner-Medley made his first six shots and finished with a career-best 23 points for the Terrapins (2-0), who trailed early in the second half before wearing down the Patriots down the stretch.

Jai Lewis led the Patriots (1-1) with 17 points and Mark Davis had 15.

Down 12 points in the first half, the Patriots got within three at halftime and took the lead for the first time during a 9-0 run that made it 47-43 with 17 minutes left.

But Smith followed with a dunk and added two layups in a 14-3 run that put Maryland up 57-50. Gilchrist also had three baskets in the spree.

Then, after Lewis made successive baskets, Gilchrist hit a 3-pointer and D.J. Strawberry scored twice inside to ignite a 9-0 burst that made it 66-54.

Gilchrist finished with 11 points, all in the second half. He was yanked from the starting lineup by coach Gary Williams after scoring only two points on 1-for-8 shooting in the opener against American University.

D.J. Strawberry dunks against George Mason during the second half.

With junior point guard Andre Collins leading the way in his first college start, Maryland attempted to use its speed from the outset. But the Patriots, who scored 95 points in their opener against Morehead State, were up for the challenge.

The Terrapins made nine of their first 12 shots, yet led by only three points until Smith hit a 3-pointer to spark a 13-4 run that made it 32-20.

It was 38-29 before Davis scored six points in a 9-2 spurt that got Mason to 41-38 at halftime.

Caner-Medley had 15 points at halftime, one more than his previous career high.