Dec 23, 2003
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Coach Gary Williams expected Maryland to show some offensive rust following a nine-day layoff for exams.
But a suffocating defensive effort overcame that concern and lifted the Terrapins to an easy win in their final tuneup for Atlantic Coast Conference competition.
Nik Caner-Medley scored 19 points to lead four players in double figures, and No. 24 Maryland limited UNC-Greensboro to 36-percent shooting en route to an 85-58 victory Tuesday night.
Freshman Ekene Ibekwe had a career-high 13 points for Maryland (7-2), which improved to 100-2 at home against non-conference opponents under Williams. Chris McCray added 11 points and Travis Garrison 10 for the Terrapins, who have their earliest ACC opener since 1998-99 Dec. 28 at Florida State.
"This is the game coming out of exams that coaches worry about the most. I was really proud of our guys overall, especially their defensive effort," Williams said. "We weren't playing well offensively for a while, which allowed UNC-Greensboro to hang around. When we did finally get going offensively, our defense was good enough to create a separation."
McCray's three-point play started a 17-2 run that took 4˝ minutes and turned the game into a rout. The Terrapins took advantage of five turnovers to build a 63-40 edge with 12:03 remaining.
"We talked before the game that this team thrives on runs. We could afford to give up a 6-0 run, but not 17-2," UNC-Greensboro head coach Fran McCaffrey said. "We had very poor decision making across the board. Our shot selection and ballhandling were very poor.
"Maryland is a team that will turn your mistakes into points because they score the ball in transition so well."
Williams thought Ibekwe, a long-armed 6-foot-9 forward, sparked the defense with two steals, a block and a couple deflections. He also hauled down six rebounds.
"Defense provides the offense. Steals lead to passes and layups. It always starts with good defense and that's a big part of my game," Ibekwe said.
Ronnie Burrell and Jay Joseph scored 16 points each for UNC-Greensboro (4-6), playing its second ranked team in the span of three days. Jelani Lawrence was six for six from the field, adding 12 points for the Spartans, who fell 106-98 to No. 5 Missouri on Sunday.
"I think there was a little bit of fatigue factor," McCaffrey said. "At the same time, if you can't get revved up in this environment someone needs to check your pulse. We were playing in a great building against a team that has won a national championship."
UNC-Greensboro, which has thrived on shooting the 3-pointer at times this season, was just 3 of 13 from beyond the arc. Joseph, the team's leading scorer, was held to 5-for-15 shooting by Chris McCray.
"Tonight, I was really pleased with our perimeter defense. McCray did a very good defensive job on Joseph, who is a great shooter. If you make a mistake on him, he really makes you pay," Williams said.
McCaffrey was not satisfied with his team's play.
"It was obvious that Maryland was not going to give up the three, especially to Joseph," McCaffrey said. "We were a little bit impatient and forced some bad shots."
John Gilchrist contributed nine points and eight assists for Maryland, which has now won three straight.
"With the students gone, you know the crowd is not going to be as energized. You also know the players are distracted with exams and being off school," Williams said. "I had to remind them why they were here. Greensboro, with what they did against Missouri, certainly got my attention."
Caner-Medley scored 10 points as Maryland took a 42-32 halftime lead. Ronnie Burrell had 10 points at the break for UNC-Greensboro.
Maryland seized control with a 17-4 run built on strong defense. Caner-Medley had eight points during the six-minute onslaught, which turned an 11-8 deficit into a 25-15 lead.
UNC-Greensboro was two for 10 from the field and committed three turnovers in 12 possessions during the decisive stretch.
The lead would grow to 16 points on a jumper by Garrison with 5:18 remaining, but the Terrapins did not score a basket the rest of the half. Lawrence scored eight quick points as the Spartans got the lead back to single digits at 37-28.
