Towson finds its groove in CAA play

By: Jordan Cope, Sports Editor 

Towson began Colonial Athletic Association play 0-4, but the team has since collected four straight victories, pulling its conference record to .500 for the first time this season. 

“We had one bad week where we also had a difficult three road games in six days,” Head Coach Pat Skerry said. “[We were] the only CAA team to have that on our schedule. Hopefully that has made us a little closer and tougher.”

The Tigers (12-9, 4-4 CAA), who were picked in the preseason polls to finish second in the conference, recently defeated the Blue Hens (8-13, 1-7 CAA) 75-58.

Early in the first half, senior forward William Adala Moto pulled down a defensive rebound that led to a fastbreak opportunity for junior guard Deshaun Morman. Morman converted on the opportunity with a layup in the paint to put the team up 10-3.

Midway through the half, the Blue Hens hung tough with the Tigers. A three-point bucket from senior guard Devonne Pinkard pulled the Hens within five points.

Following Pinkard’s bucket, Towson went on a 9-0 run to take a 27-13 lead over Delaware. The team built upon its 9-0 as the half continued and took 40-23 lead after the first 20 minutes.

The Tigers opened up the second half with a basket in transition from junior guard Mike Morsell that was set up by a steal from Moto. The Tigers never looked back and held on for an easy 75-58 win over the Blue Hens.

Morsell led Towson in scoring with 17 points. Senior forward John Davis contributed 12 points and secured nine rebounds, one board shy of a double-double.

“Good team win over Delaware,” Skerry said. “The offense has seen great improvement and our dominance on the backboards has been good.” 

The Tigers had to fight for their 11th win of the season, but defeated the Hofstra Pride (9-11, 1-6 CAA) 86-80. 

Towson and Hofstra were in a tight battle early on, tied 11-11. However, Hofstra extended its lead to 25-13 midway through the half and went into the locker room with a 40-32 lead.

In the second half, the Tigers tied the game 47-47 when redshirt sophomore guard Jordan McNeil hit a jump shot and knocked down a free throw at the charity stripe after being fouled in the paint.

Towson went on to extend its lead 66-55 with under 10 minutes left in the game when McNeil connected from beyond the arc, but Hofstra came roaring back and took a 74-73 lead.

After the Pride took a one-point lead, Davis hit a pair of free throws to give the Tigers a one-point lead of their own with 2:41 left in the game.

Towson never relinquished the lead and held on to win. With 23 points, freshman guard Zane Martin led the team in scoring, while Davis, Morman and Moto added 14 points each.

The Tigers return home Thursday to take on the College of Charleston before heading back out on the road to take on Northeastern. Tip-off from SECU Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“[We] need a big turnout Thursday for a tough Charleston team,” Skerry said.         

(Editor’s note: this issue was sent to press before the game against Charleston.)

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