LAS VEGAS – The Towson University men's basketball team concluded its difficult non-conference schedule with a 76-69 victory over Iona in the South Point Holiday Classic Thursday afternoon.
 
Towson had three players reach double digits led by Mike Morsell's 19 points. He was named to the All-Tournament Team. With his parents in the stands, Brian Starr produced a career-high 14 points and directed Towson's offense with poise and precision. Arnuad William Adala Moto added 14 points for the Tigers.
 
Towson got tremendous support from a committee of contributors to bring Iona's four-game winning streak to an end. The Tigers tough and tenacious defense held the Gaels below their season scoring average.
 
Records
Iona 8-4
Towson 8-5
 
How It Happened

• After Iona sliced Towson's 15-point lead to 48-44, Arnaud William Adala Moto nailed a 3-pointer to begin a Tiger surge to the finish.
• Towson held Iona to eight points over a 6:53 span of the second half to stretch its lead to 66-52 with 3:52 left.
• Starr had two key baskets and an assist during the Tigers game-altering 16-8 second half run.
• Leading 22-20 with 8:19 left in the first half, Towson used an 11-0 run to open its largest bulge of the first half, 33-20.
• Four different Tigers scored during the 11-0 run that spanned 3:50.
• Mike Morsell capped the run with a three-pointer from the wing that gave Towson a 33-20 lead.
• Defensively during that dynamic stretch, Towson forced three turnovers and Iona into four missed shots.
• Towson held Iona to five points over the final 4:59 of the first half.
• The Tigers trailed immediately, 5-0, two minutes into the game before finding a groove.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Towson had nine assists on its 15 first-half baskets.
• The Tigers attempted 30 free throws, the fifth time this season they have shot that many free throws in a game.
• Starr complemented his scoring with a career best five rebounds, three assists and no turnovers in a career best 31 minutes.
• Starr and Deshaun Morman finished with three assists each to lead Towson.
• The Tigers turned 11 Iona turnovers into 18 points.
• Towson won the rebounding battle, 45-34.
• It's the sixth time Towson has finished with at least 40 rebounds.
• Justin Gorham scored with 12:58 remaining to give the Tigers the lead for good, 13-12.
• John Davis grabbed nine rebounds.
• For Morsell, it was the 12th time this season and 45th time in his career that he has scored in double figures.
• Towson made five 3-pointers equaling its total output from its last three games combined.
• Iona entered the game 19th nationally with 9.9 3-pointers made per game, the Tigers did a good job by limiting the Gaels to 32.1 percent shooting (9-for-28).
• Jon Severe led Iona with a game-high 20 points.

 
Up Next
Towson begins Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play next Saturday when it hosts conference favorite UNCW at 12 p.m. on New Year's Eve.