TOWSON, Md. - Krystal Parnell and Charmonique Watt combined for 39 points to lead the Tigers to a 78-72 win over Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon. Both players recorded career-highs to lead the Tigers (4-3) to their second straight win.

"I thought the team turned in a solid effort today," said Coach Joe Mathews. "Krystal really proved what a good point guard she is today and the offensive effort from she and Charmonique was a nice lift."

With the score tied at 2-2 early in the first half, the Tigers went on a 9-0 run to open up an 11-2 lead with 15:45 to play. Parnell had six of the first 11 points the Tigers scored. Back-to-back buckets by Caitlin Kearns made it an 11-6 game with 12:22 to play in the half. Towson responded with a 10-4 run to take a 21-10 lead with 5:33 to go. Parnell had four points during that stretch while Watt connected on her first three-pointer of the day. Megan Shoniker scored three points for the Rams before Chari Lehnertz nailed a lay-up at 3:29 to make it a 21-15 game. The Tigers closed the half on an 8-3 run to take a 29-18 lead at the break. Watt connected on two treys during that run.

While the first half proved to be a defensive battle, both teams turned up the offense to start the second half. The two teams combined to score 45 points in the first 9:12 of the second stanza. Watt and Dovile Miliauskaite scored six points apiece during that stretch as Towson held a 56-36 lead with 10:48 to play in the game. It was the Tigers' largest lead of the game. Rhode Island responded with a 20-8 run to cut its deficit to seven, at 64-57 with 5:17 to play. Kerry Wallack had eight points during that run for the Rams. Towson would use a 6-2 spurt to push its lead back to 11 at 70-59 with 3:57 to play. Miliauskaite converted 4-of-4 from the line during that stretch. Despite Rhode Island closing the game on a 13-8 run, the Tigers held on for the 78-72 win. The two teams combined for 103 points in the second half alone.

Parnell led the Tigers with a career-high 21 points while adding five assists and three steals. Watt came off the bench to spark the team with a career-high 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting from behind the arc. Miliauskaite tied her career-high with 15 points. She would add four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Deree Fooks contributed nine points and four rebounds while Sheree Ledbetter added eight points and nine rebounds. Towson shot 46.9% from the field and 71% from the foul line.

Shoniker led Rhode Island 24 points and eight rebounds. She would tack on six assists and two steals. Wallack finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Emilie Cloutier added 13 points in her first collegiate appearance.

Towson returns to action on Tuesday, December 7 when it travels across town to visit UMBC. That game is set for a 7 p.m. tip.

-- TIGERS --