COLLEGE PARK, Maryland (Ticker) -- Maryland's youthful squad did not have a case of stage fright in its opener.

Jamar Smith scored 14 points and heralded freshman Mike Jones added 10 as the 25th-ranked Terrapins rode a dominant first half to a 79-48 rout of American.

Smith is the lone senior for Maryland (1-0), which brought in a recruiting class with five freshmen, including Jones, a McDonald's All-American. The Terrapins used a devastating 27-0 run to snap a 2-2 tie and build a 35-8 halftime bulge.

"The reason it was lopsided was because of our defense," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "We can draw some positive things about our defense from tonight."

The eight points yielded in the first half were the fewest surrendered by Maryland since allowing three against South Carolina on January 9, 1971. American shot 15 percent (4-of-27) and committed 13 turnovers in the first half.

"We tried talking about it and saying nobody expected us to win and just have some fun," Eagles coach Jeff Jones said. "Well, we didn't."

Maryland's young lineup features Smith and four sophomores, including the lone returning starter in Nik Caner-Medley, who scored nine points. Point guard John Gilchrist had four assists in place of four-year starter Steve Blake, who plays for the Washington Wizards.

Travis Garrison added nine points and eight rebounds and Smith pulled down 12 boards as the Terps held a 48-42 edge on the glass.

"We forced a lot of tough shots and they got a lot of second shots," Caner-Medley said. "I think the score would have been a little more lopsided if we rebounded a little better."

Maryland's freshmen accounted for all 28 of its bench points. D.J. Strawberry, the son of former major leaguer Darryl Strawberry, netted seven points in 17 minutes. Mike Jones easily was the most impressive of the group.

"He's getting good looks, which is important," Williams said. "He has the ability to get open, so I think his shots just go into the goal."

The Terrapins improved to 11-1 all-time against the Eagles.