Feb 2, 2003
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By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland took a break from the rigors of Atlantic Coast Conference play Sunday with a nonleague game against a struggling opponent.
Although the 10th-ranked Terrapins were never tested during an 85-58 rout of Loyola (Md.) on Sunday, the endeavor was certainly better than the alternative.
"This was a good game for us. Instead of practicing from Thursday to Thursday, we were able to play this game today. That helps us instead of going after each other every day," Maryland coach Gary Williams said.
Drew Nicholas scored eight of his 15 points during Maryland's game-opening 14-0 run, and the Terrapins led by as 30 points in cruising to their fifth straight victory.
Ryan Randle scored 17 points and Steve Blake had 10 assists for the Terrapins (14-4), who stretched their home winning streak to eight with their eighth straight win over Loyola.
"We have more depth than they do. We should win the game," Williams said.
It was the final nonconference matchup of the regular season for the defending NCAA champions, who went 8-3 outside the ACC.
"It was a nice game to stay in game condition and work on some things. It helps you for the next game," Blake said. "It was good for us to be out there and playing hard."
And it was more fun than pounding each other on the practice court.
"There's a crowd out there, we're going against new faces, and we got to work on things today," Nicholas said.
Most importantly, the Terrapins got another win as they prepare for a run of nine straight ACC games, beginning Thursday night at home against Virginia.
"Now we move on. We're into it now, and we'll see how it goes from here on out," Williams said.
Bernard Allen led Loyola (4-15) with 16 points. The Greyhounds, who committed 27 turnovers, have lost four in a row and eight of nine.
"Maryland has monsters," Loyola coach Scott Hicks said. "They are long, thick and athletic. If you look at the final score, certainly it was a bit of a mismatch."
Coming off an impressive 75-60 win over North Carolina State, Maryland dispelled any possibility of a letdown with a torrid start. Tahj Holden scored off an offensive rebound and Nicholas followed with eight straight points, including two 3-pointers to make it 10-0.
Holden then made a layup and Randle followed with a reverse layup before Delonnie Southall scored the Greyhounds' initial points on a layup with 15:12 left in the half.
"Obviously we were ready to play," Williams said. "But sometimes it's tough to play after that. You look back, and you wish Loyola would have hit a couple of shots to put a little fear into us, maybe."
It was 36-21 before a layup by Randle sparked a 12-2 spree that put Maryland up by 25. Sophomore Andre Collins fueled the run with two straight 3-pointers, his only points of the game.
The taller, more athletic Terrapins went 23-for-36 (64 percent) from the field in the first half and committed only three turnovers in building a 50-26 lead.
Loyola, despite going 4-for-8 from 3-point range before halftime, had more turnovers (13) than baskets (10).
Successive breakaway dunks by Blake and Nicholas early in the second half put the Terrapins ahead 61-31. Minutes later, Williams emptied his bench.
Maryland is 10-1 since its only home loss at the new Comcast Center, against Florida on Dec. 14.
