Wake Forest University
Maryland (ACC Tournament)
Maryland Knocks Wake Forest Out Of ACC Tourney
3/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 9, 2001
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By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA - No. 11 Maryland was rolling at the end of the regular season, and nothing changed in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
The Terrapins won their sixth straight game with another dominating performance, routing No. 22 Wake Forest 71-53 in the quarterfinals Friday night.
Maryland (21-9) has defeated five ranked teams on its current streak, including Wake Forest (19-10) twice. The average margin in those victories: a scary 19.5 points.
Not bad for a team that seemed in danger of missing the NCAA tournament after an embarrassing 74-71 loss at home to Florida State on Feb. 17. The Terrapins haven't been beaten since.
Juan Dixon scored 15 points and Lonny Baxter added 14 to lead Maryland, but it was the dirty work that powered this victory.
The Terps dominated the boards most of the night and limited Wake Forest to 32 percent (19-of-60) shooting in its lowest scoring game of the season.
The offensive futility was epitomized by a measly five assists for the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest coach Dave Odom believes his team has enough victories to earn an NCAA bid, though there may be some anxious moments Sunday evening.
The Deacons are 8-10 since Jan. 1 and, with a chance to impress the selection committee, responded with perhaps their worst game of the season. Wake Forest was averaging 77.9 points and had not scored less than 62 until Friday.
The Georgia Dome, packed with a record crowd of 40,083, was virtually empty by the end of the night. The Terps, leading only 31-26 at the break, finished off the Deacons with an 18-4 run to begin the second half.
Maryland baffled the Wake Forest defenders, hitting from inside and out. Steve Blake connected on back-to-back-3-pointers while Terence Morris and Baxter controlled the lane.
Dixon finished off the run with a great crossover dribble, leaving himself with an open jumper from the top of the lane.
Wake Forest was further hampered by the loss of guard Craig Dawson, who somehow dislocated his left shoulder after playing just one minute. He watched the rest of the game from the bench, his arm in a sling.
Robert O'Kelley led Wake with 20 points, but none of his teammates had more than eight.
