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COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- The nation's longest home winning streak against non-conference opponents remained intact Thursday night, with Maryland (No. 6 ESPN/USA Today, No. 8 AP) claiming what may be its final victim at Cole Field House.
Juan Dixon scored 17 points and Tahj Holden added a season-high 16 as the Terrapins extended their non-conference home winning streak to 84 games with a 92-69 victory over Norfolk State.
"This is a different year for us. It's been a little bit of a fight," said Maryland coach Gary Williams, who led the Terrapins to their first Final Four berth last season. "The only thing last year does for us right now is get teams ready to play against us."
Ryan Randle had a career-high 12 points for the Terrapins (11-2). Maryland won its ninth straight home game despite the absence of center Lonny Baxter, who sat out with a sprained right ankle.
Randle and Chris Wilson combined for 21 points and 12 rebounds, helping Maryland compensate for Baxter's absence.
"I just went out and did what the coach told me to do and
played hard," Randle said. "I just want to get in and play hard
and be the key player."
Darryl Towe led Norfolk State (3-10) with 14 points. Michael
Boyd hauled down a season-high 18 rebounds.
The Spartans, who have lost four straight games, fell to 2-9 on
the road.
Maryland had 15 blocked shots, including five each by Randle and Holden. The 15 blocks were the third-most in school history and the most since the Terrapins recorded 16 against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Dec. 1, 1988.
"I think they're better this year than they were last year -- and that's because of the big guys," Norfolk State coach Wil Jones
said. "They've got too much size inside."
The Terrapins have not lost a non-conference game at Cole Field House since losing to Coppin State on Dec. 12, 1989. Maryland moves to the new Comcast Center next season.
Unless Maryland fails to make the NCAA tournament field and has
to settle for the NIT, the Terrapins have played their final
non-conference game at Cole.
Baxter, whose 14.3 points per game are second-most on the
Terrapins, sprained an ankle in practice Tuesday. Baxter, who had
started 92 of Maryland's last 94 games, is expected to play Jan. 9
when the Terrapins play host to North Carolina in their next
Atlantic Coast Conference game.
"It feels better," Baxter said after the game, as he hobbled on a walking cast. "I'll be OK."
Maryland hardly missed Baxter's inside presence, with Wilcox starting in his place and contributing nine points in the first half.
While the Spartans were missing 24 of their first 32 shots,
Wilcox hit three jump hooks to provide an early 12-8 lead.
Holden had 11 first-half points and his baseline 10-footer with
13:02 left started a 25-7 Maryland run. Drew Nicholas closed it out
with a 3-pointer that made it 37-17.
Norfolk State didn't score consecutive baskets until Jamal Mills
had two field goals in the closing minute of the first half to cut
Maryland's lead to 45-28.
The Spartans missed their first seven shots to open the second
half. Meanwhile, Dixon scored eight points in Maryland's 11-3 run
to open the second half,
Norfolk State committed only 18 turnovers and outrebounded the Terrapins 46-42. That didn't prevent a rout, but it left Williams with something to motivate his team.
"We have to understand that Norfolk State, William & Mary,
Oklahoma -- whoever you play -- they're going to give you their best
shot," he said.
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