Gilchrist, Strawberry Honored By Atlantic Coast Conference
12/15/2003 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 15, 2003
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Maryland basketball players John Gilchrist and D.J. Strawberry each garnered Atlantic Coast Conference accolades for their performances against No. 1 Florida and Pepperdine last week. Gilchrist was named the ACC's Player of the Week for the first time in his Terrapin career, and Strawberry was named the conference's Rookie of the Week.
Gilchrist, a sophomore, earned ACC Player of the Week honors after leading the Terrapins to two victories, including a win over then-No.1 Florida on the road on Dec. 10. Against the Gators, the sophomore point guard scored 18 points, 12 in the first half, on 7-of-12 shooting. Gilchrist also tallied four rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal as the Terps downed Florida in Gainesville, 69-68, in overtime.
Gilchrist followed that performance with a career-high 24-point outing against Pepperdine after shooting 56 percent from the floor (10-of-18), including three three-pointers. The Virginia Beach, Va., native also dished out seven assists, while pulling down five rebounds as the Terrapins defeated the Waves 96-72 in College Park.
In the two games, Gilchrist went a combined 17-of-30 (57 percent) from the floor, while accumulating 11 assists and nine boards. The Player of the Week honor is the first for a Terrapin since Steve Blake earned the distinction on Feb. 17, 2003.
Strawberry was tabbed ACC Rookie of the Week after posting back-to-back stellar performances against then-No.1 Florida and Pepperdine. The freshman guard totaled 26 minutes in the road victory over the Gators last Wednesday posting five points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Strawberry was clutch down the stretch sinking a free throw in the closing minutes of the game, forcing a critical Florida turnover on a jump ball, and then assisting on the game-winner by Travis Garrison.
Strawberry then scored a career-high 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting Sunday evening, to help Maryland to the victory over Pepperdine. The Corona, Calif., native drilled a pair of three point shots and tallied an assist, a blocked shot and a steal against the Waves.
Maryland next plays UNC Greensboro on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Comcast Center after the team breaks for exams.
- TERPS -
