TOWSON, Md. - Haliena Snowden posted her second career "double-double" to lead the Tigers past George Mason, 60-46 in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams. Towson (7-5, 1-0 CAA) had three players score in double figures in the victory.
"I told the kids in practice that we needed to get more people contributing in the scoring," said Coach Joe Mathews. "I thought it was a nice job by Haliena to step up today when we needed it."
With a three-point lead to start the second half, Towson quickly extended its lead to 27-18 with a 6-0 run. Dovile Miliauskaite hit two of the Tigers' three baskets during that stretch. A jumper by Shanae Baker-Brice at 13:24 gave the Tigers a 34-22 advantage. George Mason pulled to within 10 with 12:02 remaining only to see the Tigers go on a 6-0 spurt to take their largest lead of the game, 42-26. The Tiger lead would fluctuate between 12 and 14 points over the next several minutes before a Baker-Brice free throw at 3:54 increased it to 16-point advantage. George Mason would score 10 of the final 18 points to make it a 60-46 final.
The first half was a closely contested one as the two teams battled through eight ties. No team was able to grab more than a two-point lead through the first 10 minutes of the contest. With the score tied at 18-18 with 1:23 to play in the half, Towson got a three-point play from Baker-Brice. That allowed the home team to take a 21-18 lead into the locker room.
Snowden posted a career-high 18 points and 14 rebounds while adding two steals and a block. Baker-Brice finished with 12 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Miliauskaite was the third Tiger in double figures as she contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. Jaleesa Dryver and Kandace Davis each added nine rebounds for Towson.
Amber Easter led George Mason with 14 points while Brittany Poindexter added 12 points. Brittany Eley led the Patriots on the boards with 11.
The Tigers take to the road for two games starting Thursday, January 7 at Hofstra. Tip time in Hempstead, N.Y. is set for 7 p.m.
-- TIGERS --
