COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Lonny Baxter scored 25 points and Juan Dixon added 22 as No. 2 Maryland cruised to an 83-53 win over visiting American on Saturday afternoon. It was the season-opener for the Eagles, and the first home game of the 2001-02 campaign for the Terrapins, who unfurled a banner honoring the 2001 Final Four team prior to tipoff.

Maryland (2-1) jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead after just two minutes of play, capitalizing on two Eagle turnovers. American (0-1) answered though, and sliced the margin to 12-6 on layups by Keith Gray and Steven Miles.

Any thoughts of a major upset would be short-lived, as the Terps reeled off 15 consectuive points to take a 27-6 lead with 12:43 to play in the first half. Baxter used his size advantage to score six points during the run, and Dixon added five on a layup and a long three-pointer.

The Terps led, 48-23, at the half. American shot just 29 percent from the field during the period, and 11 Eagles turnovers led to 16 Maryland points.

Using a 13-5 spurt to open the second half, Maryland jumped to a 61-28 lead with 14:54 to play in the contest, its largest lead of the game. Trailing 68-37, the Eagles used a 14-4 string of their own to slice the margin back to 21 (72-51) with 3:27 left.

Maryland's pressure forced American into 29 percent shooting for the game. The Eagles were solid from the free-throw line, though, connecting on 78 percent of their attempts.

American was led by Brian Williams' 15 points on five-of-eight shooting from the field. Patrick Doctor, a Preseason All-Patriot League selection, added 13 points and six rebounds, while Gray grabbed eight rebounds.

Steve Blake dished out nine assists and added three steals for the Terrapins, who had nine players record at least two points this afternoon.