February 9, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Virginia Tech Hokies men's basketball team suffered a tough road loss Tuesday night as they fell by a score of 86-71 to the Maryland Terrapins at the Comcast Center in College Park, Md.

With the loss, Tech falls to 12-9 on the season and 5-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Maryland improves to 14-7 on the year and 5-5 in league competition.

Carlos Dixon led the way for the Hokies, netting 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Zabian Dowdell added 17, while Coleman Collins and Jamon Gordon added 14 and 10 points, respectively. Dixon had a career high nine rebounds.

The Hokies used an early 7-0 run in the opening minutes to take a 9-3 lead, but Maryland responded quickly with an 11-2 run of their own to take control of the game with a 14-11 lead. Tech trailed 42-30 at the half.

Tech responded well coming out in the second half with an 8-0 run to cut the lead to four. After a timeout by Maryland coach Gary Williams, the Terrapins came up with six quick points on three-point baskets by John Gilchrist and Chris McCray.

The Hokies connected on 49.2 percent of its shots for the game (29-of-59), but allowed Maryland to hit 52.5 percent from the field. The Terrapins connected on 19-of-21 from the foul line while holding Tech to 7-12 shooting from the charity stripe.

Maryland out-rebounded the Hokies 32-30, but Tech out-muscled the home team on the offensive glass nine to eight.

For the Terrapins, Nik Caner-Medley led four players in double figures. Caner-Medley tallied 21 points while John Gilchrist added 19 points and 10 assists. Chris McCray and Mike Jones chipped in with 16 and 13 points, respectively.

Deron Washington tied a career high with three blocks in the game.

The Hokies will travel to Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday to play the second game of the year against in-state and conference rival Virginia. Tech won the first contest 79-73 at Cassell Coliseum on January 27^th. Saturday's tip-off is scheduled for noon.