WASHINGTON – Chris McCray and Nik Caner-Medley each scored 20 points and 12th-ranked Maryland limited George Mason to four first-half baskets in a 78-54 victory Saturday.

John Gilchrist had nine points and nine assists for the Terrapins (4-1), who advanced to Sunday’s championship game of the BB&T Classic. Maryland will face either No. 11 Michigan State or George Washington, who played later Saturday.

The Terrapins will be seeking their fifth title in the tournament’s 10-year history.

Eager to bounce back from a road loss against 25th-ranked Wisconsin on Tuesday, Maryland took a 16-point lead in the opening 5 minutes and led 38-15 at halftime.

George Mason (3-2) made only four of 27 field-goal attempts in the first half and went 0-for-13 from 3-point range. Jai Lewis had 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Patriots, who are 0-7 against Maryland.

Held to seven points on 2-for-9 shooting against Wisconsin, Caner-Medley was sharp at the outset against George Mason. The 6-foot-8 forward scored 11 of the Terrapins’ first 18 points, including nine in a 16-0 spurt that made it 18-2.

With 11 minutes elapsed, George Mason trailed 24-6 after going 3-for-19 from the floor with six turnovers.

Two free throws by McCray increased the margin to 20. It was 33-14 before McCray hit a 3-pointer and D.J. Strawberry scored on a drive to give the Terps a 24-point cushion just before halftime.

Maryland continued the onslaught in the second half. A 3-pointer by McCray made it 51-21 with 15 minutes left, and the Terrapins upped the lead to 37 points before coasting to the finish.

AP-ES-12-04-04 1522EST