COLLEGE PARK -- It needn't have been picturesque. For Maryland fans, even an unsightly victory would have sufficed.

After consecutive home losses, Maryland needed a win yesterday to prove that it can still bully the teams it's supposed to. To prove that it is still, well, Maryland.

Delaware@Maryland Friday, 6 p.m., Comcast SportsNet, 1300 AM

Play it again

Keys to the game

As in the past, Maryland was victimized by quick guards. And the Terps were hurt again by a poor start. They don't seem to get going until they are behind.

Did you notice that ...

Maryland shuffled its starting lineup to begin the second half, starting Dave Neal and Bambale Osby and sitting Landon Milbourne and Braxton Dupree. ... Maryland suffered a double breakdown to close the first half. First, the Terps failed to run out the clock, then they allowed Derrick Mercer to drive the length of the court for a layup in the final seconds.

Left to ponder

Maryland's bench had zero first-half points and four in the second. By contrast, American got 20 bench points. None of Maryland's six freshmen distinguished himself.

UP NEXT

The Terps host Delaware (4-6) on Friday at Comcast Center at 6 p.m.

JEFF BARKER

Home rule?

Maryland is 131-4 in regular-season nonconference home games under Gary Williams. The losses:

Year Opponent Score 1989 Coppin State 70-63 2002 Florida 69-64 2007 Ohio 61-55 2007 American 67-59