BOSTON – The lightning-quick second-half burst by the Towson University men's basketball team was swift, stunning and without warning.
 
Trailing Northeastern by one point with nine minutes remaining, Towson scored 16 consecutive points and used that as a springboard to capture a critical 79-72 victory in a rock 'em, sock 'em Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) contest Saturday afternoon at Matthews Arena.
 
The run started with an Eddie Keith floater in the lane and ended with a long three-pointer from Mike Morsell that silenced what was a once raucous crowd. While Towson was putting on an offensive show, its defense kept Northeastern under suffocating surveillance to raise its overall record to 14-7 and conference mark to 5-3. Northeastern slipped to 12-9 and 4-4.
 
How It Happened

• Towson shot 56.5 percent in the second half (13-for-23).
• Morsell was the catalyst during Towson's 16-0 run during a 5:07 stretch of the second half. It turned its 44-43 deficit into a 59-44 bulge with 4:18 remaining.
• Morsell scored seven of his 15 points and had a pair of steals during the run.
• Keith's basket gave Towson the lead for good, 45-44, with 8:20 remaining.
• Morsell also produced the play of the game. With Towson ahead 46-44, he missed a foul shot, but stole a pass off of a Northeastern rebound, passed it to Keith, who gave the ball back to Morsell for a corner side-pocket three-pointer and a 49-44 lead.
• Towson's next offensive possession ended with a John Davis old-fashioned three-point play and a 52-44 advantage with 7:05 remaining.
• Davis scored 16 of his team-high 20 points in the second half.
• During Towson's decisive run, it forced four Northeastern turnovers and a pair of missed three-pointers.
• Towson led for 14 minutes of the first half.
• Playing as cool as a scoop of ice cream, Byron Hawkins finished the victory with four consecutive free throws.
• Hawkins scored eight of his 15 points in the opening 20 minutes to help Towson open a 25-19 halftime lead.
• Northeastern opened the second half on an 11-4 run to take its first lead, 30-29, since it held a 10-9 edge with 14:54 remaining in the first half.
• Northeastern's largest lead of the contest was 4-2 with 18:06 remaining in the first half.
• Northeastern's David Walker scored 26 of his career-high 32 points in the second half.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Davis (11 rebounds) produced his first double-double of the season and the 13th of his career.
• It was Davis' first double-double since he posted one last season against Delaware on Feb. 15, 2015.
• The 11 rebounds were a season-high for Davis.
• Davis has scored 20 or more points in two of Towson's last four games.
• Morsell finished with a career best four steals.
• Towson outrebounded Northeastern, 33-26, the 17th time this season it has outrebounded an opponent this season.
• The Tigers allowed 19 first-half points, the third straight game it has permitted fewer than 20 points in an opening half.
• Towson and Northeastern combined to commit 52 fouls, 69 free throws attempts and 107 second half points.
• It was the second time this season, Towson attempted 40 or more foul shots.
• Jordan McNeil tied a season-high with 21 minutes player. He produced five huge points along with a pair of assists and two steals.
• Adala-Moto scored 11 points, his 17th double digit game of the season.
• This was Towson's second win at Matthews Arena in the last three years.
• Towson has won consecutive CAA road games.
• Towson is 3-1 in CAA road games this season.

Quotable
Morsell on his steal and three-pointer at the beginning of Towson's 16-0 run.
"I missed a shot and I knew that after every rebound that (Northeastern) try to get the ball to Walker. I was focused on denying him the ball. They passed it to him and I was able to steal it. I passed it back to Eddie, who made a good pass back to me and I was fortunate to hit the shot in the corner. I thought up until that point, I was playing timid, so I just tried to be more aggressive and attack."
 
Davis on his effort.
"I wanted to out rebounding today because coach (Pat Skerry) challenged me after Thursday. He told me I didn't rebound at all, so I just came out today to be aggressive and get to the rim. I was focused on doing what I needed to do to help my team win. This is a big bounce back win for us on the road. We're stuck here, so everybody came together as one and rough out a big win."
 
Up Next
Towson visits Drexel Thursday night for a 7 p.m. start.