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Feb. 2, 2000
By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) – The Maryland Terrapins usually have their way withVirginia at Cole Field House. This time, they just about bullied the Cavaliersright out of the building.
Lonny Baxter scored 24 points and Terence Morris had 18 points and 11rebounds as No. 25 Maryland ended Virginia’s five-game winning streak with a91-79 victory Wednesday night.
Baxter, a burly 260-pound forward, had his way with Virginia’s overmatchedfront line. He was aided by the lanky Morris, who helped Maryland dominateinside.
“They’re big and physical. They just pushed us around,” Virginia coachPete Gillen said. “Lonny Baxter did anything he wanted against whoever was onhim.”
Said Baxter: “Just attack strong and take no prisoners.”
Juan Dixon scored 19 for the Terrapins (15-6, 4-4 Atlantic CoastConference), who have won four of five in the ACC after starting 0-3. Marylandmade a season-high 30 free throws and outrebounded Virginia 39-26.
“Tonight we were able to get the ball inside and get to the free throwline,” Maryland coach Gary Williams said. “It’s a good way for this team toplay.”
Chris Williams scored 22 points for the Cavaliers (15-6, 5-3), who have lostfive straight against Maryland and eight in a row at Cole Field House. Virginiawas seeking its first six-game winning streak since the 1994-95 season.
This was a bad place to try to make it happen.
“Our defense was very poor,” Gillen said. “Chris Williams did a great jobfor us, but the other guys didn’t play the way they’re capable.”
Donald Hand, Virginia’s leading scorer, missed his first seven shots andfinished with five points on 1-for-9 shooting.
“That was really a team thing,” Gary Williams said. “Steve (Blake) wasassigned to him, but at the same time there’s a lot of help out there.”
Maryland led 49-47 before Baxter scored in the lane, Morris hit a hook andMike Mardesich got a tip-in to make it 55-47. Adam Hall stopped the run with a3-pointer, and his three-point play minutes later brought the Cavaliers to60-55.
Morris then made two foul shots and Baxter scored in the lane to spark an11-3 run that put Maryland up 71-58 with 8:04 left. The spree included a jumperby Blake as the shot clock expired.
The Cavaliers made only one less basket than Maryland but were outscored by30-14 at the line. The Terrapins took 38 free throws, twice as many asVirginia.
“That’s frustrating,” Gillen said, “but we got beat because we didn’tdefend.”
Morris scored 12 points and Maryland outscored Virginia 15-3 at the foulline in taking a 41-36 halftime lead.
Both teams missed their first six shots from the field, and after eightminutes the Terrapins trailed only 12-10 despite 3-for-12 shooting. DannyMiller then made two foul shots and Baxter added a dunk to start an 8-0 runthat put Maryland up by six.
It was 26-22 before Morris, who sat out four minutes after hurting an ankle,immediately hit a 3-pointer upon his return. After the Cavaliers pulled even,Morris scored six points in the final three minutes of the half.