TOWSON, Md. – Senior forward Michelle Peebles set career-highs with 15 points and nine rebounds to lead the Towson University women's basketball team to a 58-55 victory over the Coppin State Eagles Wednesday night in the Towson Center. With the victory, the Tigers improved to 4-1 this season and remained undefeated at home, winning each of their first two games.

“I'm always happy to get a win, especially against a city rival,” said Coach Joe Mathews. “Tonight we got a couple of breaks and were able to pull it out.”

Towson controlled the game from the opening tip-off as Peebles made back-to-back buckets with around 14 minutes for a 14-6 lead. The Tigers extended their lead to double figures when sophomore guard Ciara Webb converted a layup that put the Tigers ahead, 28-17, with 3:51 remaining in the opening half. It would be Towson's largest lead of the opening frame. Coppin State scored five of the final seven points to make it a 30-22 game at the half.

Towson was an impressive 10-for-10 from the charity stripe in the first 20 minutes of play. Juniors Nyree Williams and Tanisha McTiller each hit all four of their opportunities.

Coppin State would answer as the second half got underway. Trailing 30-22, the Eagles ripped off 10 consecutive points to open the period and took a 32-30 lead after a pair of free throws from Leola Spotwood with 16:12 remaining in the game.

However, the Tigers answered with a 14-6 run to take a 44-38 lead with 8:02 to play. That run was capped by Webb's triple. Freshman forward Krystal Pearson's three-pointer broke a 3:02 drought without a field goal for Towson and gave the Tigers a 48-40 lead with 5:00 remaining.

The Tigers added six free-throws over the final three minutes of the game to withstand a Coppin State comeback and earn the victory.

Tanisha McTiller was the Tigers' other player in double-figures scoring, tallying 13 points, six rebounds and six assists. Webb matched her career-high with nine points while adding a career-high six boards. Williams added eight points and seven rebounds despite being limited to just 19 minutes with foul trouble.

Spotwood had a team-high 13 points and nine rebounds for the Eagles, who got out-rebounded on the glass 47-27 in the game. They dropped to 3-3 this season with the loss.

The Tigers are next in action Saturday at Long Island University for a game beginning at 2 p.m.