TOWSON, Md. – Towson earned its first victory of the season as they defeated Morgan State, 69-61, in the Battle For Greater Baltimore Monday evening at SECU Arena.
 
How it Happened

• Towson jumped out to an early lead as Josh Ivory banked in a three-pointer from the top of the key for the 7-3 lead.
• After falling behind by four points, Towson went on a 6-0 run to take a 17-15 lead.  Walter Foster started the run with a jumper, and Byron Hawkins closed it out with a pair of free throws.
• The Tigers seized control of the final 6:09 of the first half as the closed out the half on a 14-6 run to take a 32-25 lead into halftime.
• The momentum didn't carry over into the second half as Morgan State opened the second half on a 14-6 run to take a one-point lead.
• Timajh Parker-Rivera brought the crowd to its feet as he stole the ball at midcourt and went down for the thunderous slam.
• That was just the start of the big second half for Parker-Rivera as he score down low, then converted an old-fashioned three-point play to open a 49-45 lead with 8:38 left to play.
• Towson would push its lead to as many as seven points on a Walter Foster layup before Andre Horne hit a pair of jumpers to pull the Bears within three points with just over a minute to play.
• The Tigers would put the game away at the foul line as they went 9-of-12 in the game's final minute to secure the 69-61 victory.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Byron Hawkins scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half.
• John Davis led the Tigers with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
• Walter Foster was also in double figures with 11 points.
• Timajh Parker-Rivera finished with eight points and eight rebounds for the second-straight game.
• The Tigers finished the game 21-of-54 from the field and 3-of-11 from beyond the arc.
• Towson had a major advantage at the free-throw line as the Tigers went 24-of-38, compared to just 8-of-10 for Morgan State.
• The Tigers controlled both ends of the backboards as they outrebounded the Bears 49-35.  Towson held a 15-9 advantage on the offensive glass.

 
The Tigers return to action Thursday afternoon as they take on Oklahoma State in the Gildan Charleston Classic.  Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN3.