Jan. 17, 1998

Terrapins Stumble at Wake Forest

By DAVID DROSCHAK
AP Sports Writer

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Three days ago Maryland beat the No. 1 team in the nation. On Saturday night, the Terrapins couldn't defeat a team starting four freshmen.

Laron Profit scored 25 points in a losing cause for Maryland. (File Photo)

Wake Forest (9-6, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), coming off a 36-point home loss to No. 2 Duke - its worse in 15 seasons - beat Maryland 72-60 just days after the Terrapins knocked off top-ranked North Carolina.

The Terrapins (10-6, 3-3) trailed all the way but did cut the score to 39-38 with 12:58 left before Wake Forest went on a 14-2 run to take command.

Steven Goolsby led the way with two 3-pointers 36 seconds apart, while Robert O'Kelley closed the spurt with a 3-pointer and two free throws for a 53-40 lead with 7:59 remaining. Maryland never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.

O'Kelley led Wake Forest with 17 points, while fellow freshmen Niki Arinze added a season-high 16 and Goolsby 12 on four 3-pointers.

Laron Profit scored 25 points to lead Maryland, who was held to a season-low field-goal percentage and point total.

The Demon Deacons started four freshmen for the first time since the 1978-79 season in large part because of the indefinite suspension of 7-foot-1 sophomore center Loren Woods and the poor shooting of senior guard Jerry Braswell.

It didn't matter as the Terrapins, who had won three straight ACC games, showed signs of a letdown from the opening tip. Maryland went 0-for-4 from the field with five turnovers and six fouls in the opening 4:35 as Wake Forest jumped to a 10-0 lead and coach Gary Williams wasted little time ripping off his jacket in disgust.

Wake Forest never trailed in the opening 20 minutes, taking a 30-22 halftime lead as Maryland shot 28.6 percent after shooting 51.5 percent against the Tar Heels. Six Wake Forest freshmen played 76 of the team's 100 minutes in the opening half.

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