TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Practice made Maryland a lot better, if not perfect.

With Lonny Baxter scoring 22 of his 24 points in the first half Saturday, the Terrapins (No. 21 ESPN/USA Today, No. 22 AP) manhandled Florida State 82-63, a big step in shaking off a disappointing loss at North Carolina earlier in the week.

After the 75-63 loss on Thursday, Maryland coach Gary Williams decided to push his team harder in practice before Saturday's game at Florida State.

"It was the longest and hardest practice we've had," Williams said of the workout before heading to Tallahassee. "We knew after the Carolina game we had our work cut out for us, but we got back to basics."

It paid off.

Baxter dominated the first half, scoring 22, and predicted after the game that the win would inspire the team.

"The second half is about to start in the ACC, and we really needed a road win," he said.

The Terrapins (14-6, 3-4) never trailed and held a 45-35 lead at halftime.

Florida State closed within five points during the second half, but never managed to narrow the gap any further. The Seminoles shot 35 percent (19-of-54), compared to 48 percent (29-of-60) by Maryland.

"We were playing catchup throughout the whole course of the game," Florida State coach Steve Robinson said. "I felt like we never got into any rhythm on the offensive end."

Ron Hale scored 21 points to lead the Seminoles (8-10, 3-4) and Damous Anderson added 12.

Florida State has lost two straight after posting big wins earlier this month against North Carolina and Wake Forest.

"This team has made real strides, and to be so close, you just want to go back out and practice," Nigel Dixon said.

Juan Dixon added a career-high 23 points for Maryland and Terence Morris and Danny Miller had 10 apiece.

Maryland holds a 14-5 advantage in the series against Florida State, dating back to January 1992.