CATONSVILLE, Md. - After 15 lead changes and 10 ties the Tigers finally pulled away to hand stubborn UMBC its ninth straight loss, 86-77, in the 52nd meeting between the two local rivals Saturday night on the Retrievers floor.
The Tigers (3-5) snapped a two-game losing streak with the win, their fourth straight over the Retrievers and their 34th in the series. UMB C (0-9) remained winless on the season.
"We knew this was not going to be an easy game because it's a neighborhood game," said Tiger coach Pat Kennedy. "Whenever you play in your neighborhood it's going to be a tough basketball game."
The Retrievers took it to the Tigers right out of the gate, grabbing the early lead with Chris De La Rosa showing the way. De La Rosa scored UMBC's first five points for a quick 5-0 edge. The Retrievers led by as many as seven (12-5) before the Tigers awoke. Erique Gumbs tied the game for the first time at 19-19 on a slam. From that point it was back-and-forth until late in the game when the Tigers went on a crucial 13-4 run that lifted them to a 77-66 lead on an Isaiah Philmore dunk with 1:10 left to play.
Poor shooting (13-31) and turnovers (10) hounded the Tigers throughout the first half. The Retrievers, meanwhile, took better care of the ball (6 boots) and shot better (15 of 30). Led by De La Rosa's 15 points the Retrievers forged a 38-33 lead at the break. De La Rosa finished with a game high 23 points and 10 assists.
Braxton Dupree's put back at the 5:44 mark gave the Tigers their first lead. But it was back-and-forth from there with seven lead changes and two ties before UMBC finished the period with a 7-2 run for the five-point halftime advantage. The Tigers' biggest lead of the half was three points (29-26).
Towson made a move early in the second half, erasing a seven-point deficit to knot the score at 43-43 on two RaShawn Polk free throws. The difference was a full court press employed by Towson that turned the tables on the Retrievers. The Tigers committed just four turnovers in the final 20 minutes while forcing eight for UMBC. The Tigers also shot much better (14-26) in the second half, resulting in 53 points.
"We've had these first half jitters all season," Kennedy said, "allowing teams to build leads on us. We need to continue to get our first half offense squared away so we don't put ourselves in these positions."
At the 12:00 mark Kennedy inserted freshman point guard Dre Conner into the game. Conner, who has played 66 minutes thus far this season with just one turnover, had a calming effect on Towson. He dutifully distributed the ball on offense and clung like seran wrap to De La Rosa. As a result the Tigers put five players in double figures led by Dupree's 17. Dupree also collected a game high 11 rebounds to register his fourth double-double of the year. Towson outmuscled UMBC on the boards, 42-25.
Philmore netted 16 points on six for nine shooting. Troy Franklin added 15 points. Polk scored 11 and Brian Morris helped out with 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
The Tigers were especially hot at the free throw line where they canned 26 of 32 attempts. Conner, who scored six points in the contest, was 4 of 4 at the charity stripe. His first two throws gave Towson a lead (62-60) it would not relinquish again.
Towson is off for the next nine days while the Tigers tend to final exams. They're back on the court again December 20th at Hampton.
