NEWARK, Del.  -- Inserted into the starting lineup for the first time, freshman Shakira Austin responded with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and a Maryland record-tying eight blocks.
 
She helped the No. 5 Terrapins improve to 11-0 with a 77-53 victory at Delaware 7-53 on Thursday. With the win, the Terps moved to 11-0 for the second time in three years and closed their non-conference slate with a victory.
 
The 6-foot-5 freshman said she was excited for her first collegiate start, but knows Maryland will have to get better as it gets ready for the start of Big Ten play.
 
"It was a little sloppy," Austin said. "But we'll leave with a Christmas break win."
 
Junior Kaila Charles had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and junior Stephanie Jones and freshman Taylor Mikesell each had 15 points for the Terrapins, with Mikesell hitting five 3-pointers.
 
Makeda Nicholas had 12 points for Delaware (4-7) before leaving with an injury with 7:28 to play. The Blue Hens are 0-13 against the Terrapins.
 
Maryland had a 16-2 run to take a 24-10 lead with 7:29 left in the second quarter. The Blue Hens cut it to 27-21 with 2:56 remaining in the first half, but never got closer. They trailed 56-41 at the end of the third quarter.
 
Both teams struggled from the 3-point line, until Mikesell hit one with 2:06 left in the first half.
 
Maryland had 55 rebounds, and despite shooting only 36.8 percent, coach Brenda Frese liked her team's physical presence.
 
"I thought our post game was sensational, and I thought they had no answer for us inside," Frese said.
 
Austin was voted Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week Monday along with Michigan's Naz Hillmon. This is Austin's third weekly honors in six weeks.
 
Maryland is ranked No. 5 in both the Associated Press poll and the USA Today Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll.
 
Frese is in her 17th season as the head coach of the Terrapins. She's led them to a record of 440-119 (.787). She is three wins from 500 in her 20-year head coaching career with a record of 497-149 (.769).
 
After a holiday break, the Terrapins will open Big Ten play with a road trip to Penn State (7-4) on Friday, Dec. 28. The Terps and the Lady Lions will tip off at 7 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center.
 
Fans can watch the Maryland-Penn State game at BTN2Go.com or the BTN2Go app with the BTN Plus subscriptions. Live stats will also be available.
 
The Associated Press contributed to this report.