Nov. 4, 2006

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. AP - D.J. Strawberry scored 20 points, Ekene Ibekwe added 16, and Maryland closed its exhibition season by beating Carleton 86-77 Saturday night.

The Terrapins never trailed in the second half against the four-time defending Canadian national champions. Maryland committed 23 turnovers, but played much better than in its other preseason game, a 79-78 win over Division II California (Pa.) on Wednesday.

The Terps begin the regular season Tuesday at home against Hampton in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic.

Maryland led 51-48 before successive dunks by James Gist and Ibekwe sparked an 11-3 run. Freshman guard Eric Hayes contributed a 3-pointer and the Terrapins' other freshman guard, Greivis Vasquez, capped the surge with two free throws.

It was 64-55 before Strawberry made a three-point play. Then, with 7:21 remaining, Vasquez hit a 3-pointer from the corner to make it 70-58.

Vasquez, who missed the exhibition opener with a sprained ankle, finished with 9 points and four assists. But he also had a team-high five turnovers.

Osvaldo Jeanty scored 25 points for the Ravens, who were coming off a 66-64 overtime loss to American University on Thursday.

Strawberry had 17 points, and the Terrapins closed the half with a 6-0 spree to go up 42-36.

Maryland led 5-4 before Ibekwe scored in the lane to launch a 9-0 run. Ibekwe capped the surge with a driving layup, giving him seven points in six minutes -- compared to six points in 24 minutes against California.

Carleton answered the Terrapins' run with one of its own. Jeanty hit two straight 3-pointers to ignite a 13-3 spurt that tied it at 17.

With 15 minutes elapsed, Maryland was 12-for-18 from the floor. But the Terrapins had a dozen turnovers, and thus were deadlocked at 30.