Mouton Inspires Maryland to Victory After Tragic Week

After a somber week, Maryland forward Byron Mouton found a measure of solace on the basketball court.

Playing one day after attending the funeral of his brother, Mouton scored 13 points as No. 3 Maryland extended its nonconference home winning streak to 81 games with a 79-54 rout of Detroit on Sunday night at College Park, Md.

The Terrapins (7-1) got 17 points from Lonny Baxter, 14 from Tahj Holden and 12 from Juan Dixon.

Mouton provided the inspiration.

The senior forward left the team Monday after learning that his brother, Kevin, had been shot to death in Houston.

Mouton didn’t start against the Titans (4-3), instead playing the role of a reserve after missing several days of practice.

“I think it was a relief for him just to get back on the court,� Maryland Coach Gary Williams said.

“I asked him if he wanted to play, and he said yes, probably to get his mind off things for two hours.�

In 18 minutes, Mouton was five for seven from the field and had four rebounds.

“I was real comfortable,� Mouton said. “The last couple of days I just sat around with my family.

“To come back was nice. I love to play basketball.�

When Mouton was finally replaced, he received a warm ovation from the Cole Field House crowd of 14,327.

“He did a good job at home with his family, then came back and did a good job here,� Williams said.

Said Dixon: “He’s good spirit. We love that dude.�

Willie Green led the Titans with 15 points.

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No. 24 Michigan State 92, Nicholls State 38--Marcus Taylor had 18 points for the Spartans, who led by 41 points at halftime after starting with a 27-2 run at East Lansing, Mich.

Sophomore forward Adam Wolfe had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Michigan State (5-3).

The Spartans extended their home winning streak to 49 games, the longest in the nation.

Nicholls State (1-5) started three freshmen because four players were academically ineligible.

Ronnie Price scored 10 points for the Colonels, who never got closer than 24 points.