Maryland's Mosley refines touch in hoops scrimmage

COLLEGE PARK - When Maryland guard Sean Mosley shot the ball last season, a lot of people wanted to avert their eyes. Mosley, one of the great scorers in Baltimore high school history, shot 37 percent from the floor as a freshman - 24 percent from 3-point range.

During the preseason, the word was that Mosley had worked diligently on his shot during the summer. That extra work was supposed to make a huge difference in his game this season, turning him into a much greater offensive threat at the college level. Judging from the early results, that's exactly what happened.

Mosley shot the ball well in Maryland's first two intrasquad scrimmages and was one of the bright spots in last night's 75-54 exhibition victory over Division II power Indiana, Pa., last night at Comcast Center.

Mosley matched senior Landon Milbourne for team scoring honors, with each getting 14 points. Mosley got his on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor, showing a newfound ability to hit open shots from the perimeter and while on the move.

"He's a better shooter now than he was at this point last year," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "Hopefully, that continues."

Williams thought that Mosley struggled with his shot last year because of an ankle injury suffered in the preseason that limited Mosley's lift on his jump shot. Mosley's of the opinion that his greater comfort level with the offense has made the big difference - in addition to all the practice.

"It's knowing the offense," he said. "I just worked in the offseason on getting shots up, trying to get consistent within the game, within the offense."

Mosley and everyone in a Maryland uniform hit in the first half. The Terps shot 70 percent from the floor and raced to a 44-33 lead at intermission. The margin could have been even larger but for 11 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

"I think we were going for a record," Williams noted sourly. "We settled down in the second half."

Maryland cooled off, too. The Terps shot just 38 percent in the second half, including 1-for-9 from 3-point range. They also wound up getting outrebounded, 36-35, which should give Williams some things to correct between now and the regular-season opener Nov. 13 against Charleston Southern.

"Now we know what he need to work on in practice," said senior guard Greivis Vasquez, who had 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Another plus for Maryland was the play of freshmen James Padgett and Jordan Williams, who are supposed to provide the inside presence that Maryland lacked much of last season. Although the Terps did get beat on the boards, the two newcomers acquitted themselves well.

Padgett actually started, largely because he provided a better opportunity to match up defensively against the smaller, quicker Crimson Hawks. Padgett finished with eight points, four rebounds and a pair of blocked shots in 22 minutes.

Williams scored seven points and grabbed six rebounds in 18 minutes.

"They made a pretty good impression on me," said Milbourne, who should get to roam the perimeter more with the presence of additional - and traditional - post players on the roster. "Those guys are good. They have big bodies and they run the floor."

Padgett and Williams played extensively because Dino Gregory, one of the team's few front-court holdovers, was suspended for last night's game for a violation of team rules.

The Terps also played without backup center Steve Goins, who continues to be troubled by a sore knee following surgery over the summer.

"I wish I could say he'll be back right away," Williams said. "He says it still hurts."

NOTES: IUP went 22-8 last year and was picked sixth in the country in Division II by The Sporting News … Guard Julian Sanders led IUP with 14 points, while guard Thomas Young added 13 points.