Nov. 13, 2004

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Maryland completed its exhibition schedule with two wins and a decent idea of what needs to be done before Friday night's regular season opener against Jackson State.

Chris McCray had 17 points and nine rebounds, and the 15th-ranked Terrapins never trailed in an 89-60 victory over Carleton on Saturday.

The defending Atlantic Coast Conference champions went 2-0 in the preseason. In both games, Maryland got off to a slow start before finally playing up to its potential.

Facing a team coming off a 49-point loss to Old Dominion, the Terrapins led by only four points late in the first half before using a 14-2 run to take a 45-29 halftime lead.

"I thought the last five minutes of the first half we played with the intensity level necessary to play good teams," coach Gary Williams said.

Maryland missed its first nine shots from the floor after halftime before a resounding dunk by freshman James Gist rejuvenated the crowd and got the Terps back on track.

"That was a great play on his part," guard D.J. Strawberry said. "We needed a lift, and when something exciting happens like that, it gets the team more excited."

Gist scored 13 points in a reserve role, one of five Terrapins to reach double figures. Maryland forced 20 turnovers and went 27-for-35 at the line.

Including their 100-85 victory over Division II Bryant 100-85 on Nov. 5, Maryland attempted 83 foul shots compared to 26 for the opposition.

Michael Smart scored 22 points and Osvaldo Jeanty had 18 for Carleton, Canada's two-time defending national champs. The Ravens took only eight free throws, making six.

Maryland held a 60-47 lead with 12 minutes to go despite making three fewer field goals (15-18) than Carleton. Over the next five minutes, however, the Terrapins made six baskets during a 13-5 run that turned the game into a rout.

Several of the baskets came following turnovers created by Maryland's pressure defense.

"That might be the way we have to play," Williams said. "It seemed to get the team moving. You do whatever it takes."

From now on, everything counts.

"We're definitely ready to get it going," Strawberry said. "We're ready to prove to the nation that we're one of the top teams. We want to be in the Final Four this year."