TOWSON, Md. – Alex Thomas is the perfect player for the Towson University men's basketball team. That's because the affable 6 foot, 9 inch sophomore forward understands his role and knows what's expected.
 
Thomas was large and in charge for Towson during its 70-53 victory over Loyola in a non-conference contest at SECU Arena Wednesday night. He scored 11 points and grabbed a career best seven rebounds to help the Tigers defeat the Greyhounds for the second consecutive season. As an added bonus Thomas blocked a season-high three shots.
 
"I am pretty comfortable," said Thomas in the victorious Towson locker room while eating a slice of pepperoni pizza. "I have a really simple job to do. I go out, play defense, grab boards and clean up the guards' mess. I go out and do my job and there's not a lot to worry about. I just know if I work hard, I'll be O.K."
 
Thomas also helped fans breathe a little easier when he scored on a layup with 3:14 remaining that ended an 8:11 stretch without a basket during a time when Towson saw its 32-point advantage shrink to 11. For his efforts, Thomas also left with some new souvenirs in the form of battle scars on his right arm and the right side of his back. He had deep red scratches on him that looked like he was attacked by a panther.
 
"It was physical tonight like it is every game for me," Thomas said. "There were lots of elbows being thrown and bodies coming together. I am getting used to it. I spent two years in the weight room and gained 40 pounds for this."
 
Records
Loyola 4-5
Towson 5-4
 
How It Happened

• Thomas was one of four Towson players to reach double figures.
• Mike Morsell led Towson with 21 points, his fifth 20-point outing of the season.
• Morsell was an efficient 5-of-8 from the field and 10-for-12 from the foul line.
• Arnaud William Adala Moto added 11 points and seven rebounds.
• Adala Moto threw down the dunk of the night when he flew baseline for a one-handed finish that shook SECU Arena.
• Adala Moto dunked on consecutive possessions during Towson's 14-6 run to begin the second half.
• John Davis reached double digits in scoring for the fifth straight game with 12 points.
• Towson shot 50 percent for the game (24-for-48).
• The Tigers held the Greyhounds without a field goal in the final 7:23 of the first half.
• Towson limited Loyola to 17 first half points, the fewest scored by an opponent this season.
• With Towson leading 11-9 with 13 minutes, 4 seconds remaining, the Tigers took control of the contest by ending the half on a 30-8 run.
• Towson's 41-17 halftime bulge tied for its largest of the season.
• A Davis jumper gave Towson its largest lead of the game, 55-23, with 13:37 remaining.
• The Greyhounds used a 26-5 run to slice Towson's lead to 60-49 with 3:47 left.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Towson forced Loyola into 10 consecutive missed shots to finish the first half.
• Towson improved to 15-2 against schools in the state of Maryland since the start of the 2012-13 season.
• The Tigers have won seven straight games against Baltimore-area schools.
• Towson outscored Loyola 32-26 in the paint.
• This was the first game Towson won this season when the opponent attempt more free throws than Towson (26-25).
• This was the fifth time this season Towson finished with at least 40 rebounds.
• Jarred Jones (13 points) and Cam Gregory (10 points, eight rebounds) led Loyola.
• Loyola made six baskets in the opening 20 minutes.
• This was the sixth time this season Towson has had at least four players in double figures.
• Eddie Keith II finished with a career best four steals.
• Thomas has grabbed at least five rebounds five times this season, including Towson's last three contests.
• Towson had 14 assists, the fourth time this season with at least that many in a game.

 
Up Next
Towson concludes its six-game homestand by hosting Fairleigh Dickinson Saturday at 2:00 p.m. FDU won 20 games and competed in the NCAA Tournament last season.