Jan. 6, 2004

Recap| Box Score| Quotes

* The Maryland basketball team put on an impressive display in their final non-conference tuneup of the 2003-04 season in defeating University of Maryland-Eastern Shore 87-38 Tuesday night at Comcast Center in a cross-state showdown. Maryland heads into the meat of its Atlantic Coast Conference schedule having compiled a 9-3 record, while UMES falls to 0-8.

* With tonight's win, Maryland remains undefeated in 15 all-time meetings against the Hawks. In the last five contests, dating to Nov. 26, 1991, the Terps have defeated UMES by an average of 45 points, winning by 31, 38, 49, 52 and 55 points.

* The 38 points allowed by Maryland was the fewest since the first round of the 1998 Puerto Rico Shootout, when the Terps squashed AU-Puerto Rico 82-32 on Nov. 26, 1998.

* Maryland held UMES to 25.9% shooting (14-of-54), the lowest field goal percentage by a Maryland opponent in the 2003-04 season.

* Maryland concluded their non-conference slate with a 9-2 record, including a perfect 8-0 mark in the friendly confines of their second-year home court. Head Coach Gary Williams has directed his squad to an undefeated home record against non-conference opponents in 13 of his 15 seasons at his alma mater. During that span, Williams-led teams are 102-2 against non-ACC foes at Cole Field House and Comcast Center and 99-1 since Dec. 30, 1989.

* Freshman forward Ekene Ibekwe logged his first career start and made the most of the opportunity, particularly on the defensive end by blocking four UMES shot attempts. Ibekwe also turned in a consistent offensive performance, scoring 7 points and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes of action.

* Freshman guard Mike Jones had his best game as a collegian, racking up a team- and career-high 25 points, to go along with career-highs in rebounds (6), assists (3) and steals (3). Jones' 25 points - all but two of which came in the second half -- is the most by a Maryland freshman since Drew Nicholas scored 27 points against Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 22, 1999. Jones, who shot 6-of-11 from the field (2-of-3 from long range) and a near-perfect 11-of-12 from the charity stripe, shattered his previous career-high of 10 points set in the Nov. 22 season opener against American.

* Freshman center Will Bowers notched six points (2-of-2 shooting and 2-of-4 from the free-throw line), also setting a career-high. He tied a career-high with 13 minutes of playing time.

* John Gilchrist sparked Maryland to an early 9-0 lead, scoring five of the game's first nine points - all by Maryland - on a three-pointer from the top of the key and a fast break lay-in. The Terps connected on four of their first five field goal attempts and each of its first three three-point attempts (Gilchrist, Nik Caner-Medley and Jamar Smith). By the 11:04 mark of the first half, Maryland had increased its lead to 19-4, holding the Hawks to just 2-of-11 shooting.

* Maryland assembled a strong defensive performance, holding UMES to 30 percent first-half shooting and only 1-of-9 long-range attempts. The Terps forced nine first half turnovers and rejected four UMES field goal attempts to put early pressure on the Hawks.

* The Terps used their height and weight advantage effectively inside, outscoring UMES in the paint 36-6, including a 16-2 margin in the first half. Smith was 4-of-6 shooting in the first half, leading Maryland scorers with nine points at the break.

* By scoring the first 10 second-half points by the first media timeout, the Terrapins virtually put the game away, extending its lead to 40-19 at the 15:22 mark of the half. Just four minutes later, the Terps had pushed its lead to 51-22, increasing the second half opening run to 21-3, holding UMES to just one field goal (a three-pointer by Tee Trotter) in its first 12 attempts. Maryland pummeled the Hawks in the second half, outscoring their opponents 57-19 and holding them to 20.8 percent shooting (5-of-24).

* UMES did not attempt a free-throw until 8:36 had elapsed in the second half. Overall, the Terps went 26-of-38 from the line, while the Hawks went only 8-of-12 at the stripe.