Work Samples

Terps Wear Down Mocs, Roll to Win

November 1, 2010

By David Driver
For the Ledger
Used with permission

College Park, Md. | Butler may have made the NCAA title game last season, but a Maryland team that lost three key seniors proved to be much more overwhelming for the Florida Southern men's basketball team.

Two days after a 20-point exhibition loss at Butler, the Division II Mocs were outscored, 39-11, in the last 11 minutes of the first half Monday in a 106-58 exhibition loss to Division I Maryland at the on-campus Comcast Center. Maryland, which rolled in the second half, was 24-9 last season and was picked to place sixth in the 12-team ACC this season.

"They wore us down. We ran out of gas. We took some quick shots. We won't play anybody as fast as Maryland," said FSC head coach Linc Darner, whose team was outrebounded, 55-33, and had 23 turnovers.

Terry Jenkins of FSC had 14 of his team-high 19 points in the first half for the Mocs, who had 13 turnovers in the first half against the quicker Terp guards who trapped in the first half.

"They were just quicker and faster. We have to be mentally tough during those stretches and try to get better," said Jenkins, who had 13 points in the 90-70 loss at Butler. "It is a good opportunity for us to see where we are as a team and help prepare us for the season."

Lake Gibson High School graduate Preston Frederick added 12 points for the Mocs.

"He made some good moves and made some nice jumpers," Darner said.

"It is a different game playing against Maryland," Frederick said. "I just tried to do the best I can. They are a lot faster and a whole lot quicker (than Butler). We didn't know how to handle that press. We can't simulate that press in practice. It is different when you have 6-8 guards trapping you."

FSC played without Rion Rayfield, who has been bothered by foot and ankle problems and also did not play Saturday at Butler. Darner said he hopes Rayfield can return to practice on Wednesday and perhaps play in the next exhibition game for FSC on Nov. 8 at Miami.

The Terps took a 6-0 lead but FSC came back to tie the game at 15-15 on a basket by Frederick with about 13 minutes left in the first half.

But then Maryland's Jordan Williamsdrew a foul on Frederick a few seconds later and his field goal and free throw gave Maryland a 21-15 advantage.

The Mocs shooting went stone cold in the last 10 minutes of the first half as Maryland's fast break led to one dunk after another against hapless FSC. Maryland reached the 100-point mark with about 4 minutes left in the game.