George Washington University Athletics
Maryland Downs Colonials 71-63
12/3/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
WASHINGTON (AP) - While Byron Mouton took charge on one end of the court, the entire Maryland team did its part on defense. As a result, the 13th-ranked Terrapins appear back on course after a shaky start to the season.
Mouton scored 17 points as Maryland avenged last year's upset loss to George Washington with a 71-63 victory Sunday in the championship game of the BB&T Classic.
Mouton, a junior transfer from Tulane, went 8-of-12 from the field to help Maryland (3-3) repel the pesky Colonials (5-2). Lonny Baxter and Juan Dixon each had 13 points for the Terrapins, who avoided going 2-4 for the first time since 1969.
The key to the victory, however, was a relentless defense that limited George Washington to 35 percent shooting, including 2-for-16 from 3-point range.
"We could be an outstanding defensive team this year, and that's what has carried us to 3-3," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "As long as our defense continues strong, our offense is going to get better."
The game was tied with 9:35 left before a follow shot by Tahj Holden, a dunk by Baxter and a short jumper by Drew Nicholas put the Terrapins up by six. After a GW basket, Mouton hit a jumper and Baxter added two free throws to make it 63-55.
Mouton, who got his first start with Maryland on Saturday against Michigan, also had five rebounds, two assists and a steal in 31 minutes.
"He gives us toughness in the backcourt, which we didn't have last year," Williams said. "He has handled most situations very well."
Tournament MVP SirValiant Brown had 18 points and Jaason Smith added 14 for George Washington, which shocked Maryland in last year's title game.
"You knew after last year they were going to bring their A-game with them," Colonials coach Tom Penders said.
GW closed to 64-61 with 1:44 left, but Terence Morris scored inside and Baxter made two free throws to secure the victory.
The Colonials went 21-for-21 at the line. Despite the loss, Penders took consolation in staying close with Maryland after beating No. 19 St. John's on Saturday.
"I think our kids showed this weekend that we can compete against anybody in the Top 25," he said. "I think we came of age today."
The Colonials never led until Chris Monroe made two fouls shots with 11:39 left to make it 49-47. Dixon and Nicholas then hit short jumpers for Maryland, but Brown powered inside for a basket that again tied the score.
GW made only one field goal over the next four minutes, however, as Maryland pulled away to its third BB&T title in the six-year history of the tournament.
"I thought we had one more run in us, but we didn't," Penders said.
After Mouton scored 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting to help Maryland take a 35-24 lead, Smith reeled off 10 straight points to bring the Colonials back, capping the run with a breakaway dunk.
Holden interrupted the run with two free throws, and Mouton followed with Maryland's only field goal in the last six minutes, a 3-pointer that made it 40-34 at halftime.
