Towson?s men?s basketball team showed it can win a big game at home ? now it must find a way to do it away from Towson Center.
The Tigers played one of their most complete games of the season in a 86-77 victory over Drexel on Saturday, but must maintain that momentum when they travel to Wilmington, N.C. on Wednesday to play UNC-Wilmington at Trask Coliseum at 7 p.m.
“The [Drexel] win was huge, it saved our season and saved our confidence,” Towson senior forward Jonathan Pease said. “With our confidence right we can still be contenders in the CAA.”
The Tigers (6-9, 2-3 Colonial Athletic Association) were outrebounded for their fifth straight game, but excelled on offense, recording an assist on 23-of-30 field goals and turning the ball over just 10 times. Towson tied a season-high by shooting 50 percent from the floor, but had its best game of the year beyond the three-point arc, making 10-of-19 attempts.
Offensive efficiency is nothing new for the Tigers, however, as the team entered its game against Drexel ranked fifth in Division I in turnovers at just 10.9 per game. The Tigers also are 31st in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.21.
“We are getting to where all nine [rotation] guys are interchangeable,” Towson coach Pat Kennedy said. “Now, we are kind of getting the balance with everybody.”
Against UNC-Wilmington (9-8, 2-3), however, defense will be key for the Tigers, as they will have to find a way to contain guard T.J. Carter (16.1 ppg, 4.2 apg), who teammed with Pease at Chopticon High in St. Mary?s County to lead the Braves to the 3A state final as seniors.
The Seahawks also feature Daniel Fountain (13.5 ppg, 41.5 three-point percentage) and Vladimir Kuljanin (13.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg).
But the Tigers can counter offensely.
Junior Hairston has been a constant force for Towson, averaging a team-leading 13.9 points per game and is ranked in the top 10 nationally in rebounding, snagging 11.2 per game.
Pease, though, has become the catalyst after Kennedy suspended second-leading scorer Rodney Spruill on Dec. 29 to give him more time to focus on academics. Pease posted a double-double in each of his past two games, including matching a career-high with 25 points and 11 rebounds against Drexel.
“I?m a hot or cold shooter and I?ve been on a nice little streak,” Pease said. “When you are hot you want to shoot it as much as you can.”
Towson at NC-Wilmington
» Tipoff: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
» Where: Trask Coliseum Wilmington, N.C.
» Radio: 89.7 FM
