Towson picks up the pace

The Tigers could not establish themselves offensively, shooting less than 20 percent from the field. UMBC controlled the tempo and slowed a Tiger offense that averaged 70 points through its first three games.

But Towson decided to pressure the hosts while getting more aggressive rebounding the ball, leading to a 25-10 run for a 50-45 victory. With Saturday?s 75-73 overtime win at Loyola, the Tigers are now 5-0 for the first time since becoming a Division I program in 1982.

“I?m proud of the way the team is playing right now, and I think they will only get better as they continue to gel as a team,” said Towson coach Joe Matthews, who is 43-103 in his sixth season at the helm.

Part of Matthews? challenge in making Towson competitive in the Colonial Athletic Association ? where it was picked to finish 10th out of 12 teams ? is getting his players to play cohesively. So far, team chemistry has not been a problem despite a roster that includes eight players who weren?t with the team last year.

The backcourt tandem of Holly Mahan and Shanae Baker-Brice lead that group. Mahan, a transfer from Monroe (N.Y.) Community College, leads Towson by averaging 14.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and five steals a game. She is also tops on the team in field-goal percentage (51.7) and in three-point field goal percentage (43.8).

Baker-Brice, a redshirt freshman, is averaging a team-high 15 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and three steals. She scored a game-high 26 points, including 16 in the second half, to go along with five rebounds and four steals in a career-high 42 minutes at Loyola.

TIGER BITES

» Much of Towson?s early success can be attributed to its defense, which had forced 102 turnovers through five games, including 28 in Saturday?s win at Loyola.

» Towson is in the middle of a five-game road trip, including games at Wake Forest Wednesday and its conference opener Dec. 3 at William & Mary.