Dec. 23, 2006

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - D.J. Strawberry scored 19 points and fueled a second-half run that enabled Maryland to pull away from American University in a 66-54 victory Saturday.

James Gist had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Terrapins (11-2), and Ekene Ibekwe added 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Playing for the first time in 10 days, Maryland overcame a sluggish start behind Strawberry, who went 3-for-6 from 3-point range and finished with a team-high six assists.

Andre Ingram scored 24 points for the Eagles (7-4), who gave the Terrapins fits throughout the opening 16 minutes.

Maryland trailed 27-26 before Strawberry made two free throws and reserve center Will Bowers hit a jumper to spark an 11-0 run that put the Terrapins ahead for good. Strawberry scored five points in the surge and Bowers had two baskets.

After American closed to 37-31 at halftime, Maryland took command by opening the second half with a 13-2 spree. Gist got things started with a dunk and Mike Jones followed with a 3-pointer, his first shot of the game following a career-high 27-point performance in the Terrapins' last outing, a 101-50 rout of Missouri-Kansas City.

Paulius Joneliunas answered with a layup for the Eagles, but successive 3-pointers by Strawberry and two foul shots by Ibekwe made it 50-33 with 15:33 left.

The margin reached 18 points when Strawberry sank two free throws with 13:03 to go.

Maryland coach Gary Williams shuffled his starters in a second straight game, this time using senior Parrish Brown at shooting guard ahead of Jones, who made a school-record nine 3-pointers against UMKC.

Freshman point guard Greivis Vasquez received a second straight start ahead of Eric Hayes, but Williams restored Ibekwe to the starting lineup ahead of Bambale Osby.

The moves did not produce immediate results. The first half featured eight ties and seven lead changes before the Terrapins' decisive 11-point run.

Maryland finished with 20 turnovers.