TOP 25 BASKETBALL Terps win in ACC opener

Maryland won its 13th-straight conference game, 84-77, over Georgia Tech.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- An intense Atlantic Coast Conference game brought out the best in the defending NCAA champions.
Drew Nicholas scored a career-high 29 points and Ryan Randle led a second-half charge as No. 23 Maryland opened defense of its ACC title with an 84-77 victory over Georgia Tech on Sunday.
While the game enabled the Terrapins' younger players to get their first taste of ACC action, Maryland relied heavily on its veterans to extend its school-record run of conference wins to 13.
Nicholas and Randle led the way, aided by Steve Blake (seven points, eight assists and three steals) and reserve Tahj Holden (11 points).
"When you have seniors, it's an advantage," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "Those guys have been through it and know what it takes."
And now the rest of the Terrapins know a little bit about playing in the highly competitive, never mundane ACC.
"I think a lot of young guys now understand when we talk about how the ACC is just different," Nicholas said. "A different level of competition, a different level of play. It was a war out there."
Nicholas had the floor burns to prove it.
"I was on the ground at least 20 times tonight," he said. "If that's what I have to do to get this win, I'll take it."
Randle scored 16 of his 20 points after halftime, helping the Terrapins (6-3, 1-0) escape with their ninth straight home victory over the Yellow Jackets.
"That was two teams giving everything they have. I told the new players, 'Welcome to the ACC,"' Williams said.
"It exceeded my expectations," said Maryland freshman John Gilchrist, who played 20 minutes off the bench. "It was so great just to be able to step on the floor after growing up and watching it on TV. The intensity and energy is so high, it's awesome."
B.J. Elder had 19 points and Chris Bosh added 16 for the Yellow Jackets (5-4, 0-1), who have lost 12 of 14 to Maryland since January 1996.
"There are some positives to take out of the game, but I told the kids it will only be a positive if we build on it," Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said.
Maryland was clinging to a 52-51 lead before Randle made a follow shot and a dunk in a 6-0 run. Minutes later, Randle hit a 10-foot jumper and Nicholas scored on a drive to make it 69-64 with 5:29 left.
After a Georgia Tech free throw, Nicholas hit a 3-pointer and Randle scored from the baseline to give the Terrapins a nine-point cushion with three minutes remaining.
"It was just a fight," Nicholas said. "They're going to beat a lot of teams in this league. They're very talented."
Holden, who missed the Terrapins' last game because of a death in the family, did not start for the first time this season. Williams said Holden offered to play a reserve role because of his limited practice time.
"Not many guys would tell you that. They like running out for the introduction on national TV," Williams said.
No. 3 Duke 85, Dayton 74
At Durham, N.C., J.J. Redick scored 26 points and Dahntay Jones added 15 as the Blue Devils (7-0) improved to 162-8 against nonconference teams at Cameron Indoor Stadium and 127-23 in December under coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Ramod Marshall hit two jumpers that pulled Dayton (7-3) to 75-69 with 3:08 to play, but Chris Duhon stole the ball on the Flyers' next two possessions, racing in for a two-handed dunk on the second that made it 79-69 with 1:47 left.
Keith Waleskowski led Dayton with 20 points.
No. 18 Creighton 93, SE Missouri St. 70
At Omaha, Neb., Kyle Korver scored 22 points as the Bluejays (10-0) remained unbeaten. They are off to the program's best start since the 1942-43 squad opened with a school-record 16-0 mark.
Mike Grimes added 17 points for Creighton, which forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 30 points.
Tim Scheer led the Indians (5-6) with 20 points.