TOWSON, Md. – The challenges continue for the Towson University men's basketball team. The Tigers conclude a six-game homestand and begin a furious finish to December by hosting Fairleigh Dickinson University.
 
Three of Towson's five final December opponents all won at least 20 games and competed in the postseason a year ago. FDU along with Iona and UNCW were in the NCAA Tournament and Nevada captured the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Tournament. UMBC is off to its best start in program history at 7-1 overall and it's a local rival on the road, which will not be easy.
 
Ignore FDU's record as it has defeated Towson the last two seasons by one point in each game. Following FDU, the combined record of the Tigers' final four December foes is a combined 26-7 (78.7%).
 
"We are excited to be playing these types of teams at the end of December because it's getting us ready for conference play and that's most important," Towson senior captain John Davis said. "We will just have to take each game one by one knowing that these types of teams are ones we will see in the NCAA tournament at the end of the year."
 

When:	Saturday, December 10
Where	SECU Arena -- Towson, Md,
Time:	2 p.m.
Records:	Towson (5-4); FDU (2-6)
Radio:	CBS Sports Radio 1300 AM
Series History:	FDU leads 4-1 (FDU has won 3 straight)
Last Meeting:	FDU won 69-68 on Dec. 18, 2015 at Stratis Arena
Social Media Updates:	@Towson_MBB

Engaged and enraged, the Tigers defense has tightened at the perfect time, which has them prepared for the tests ahead on their savage schedule. Towson is 3-2 on its six-game homestand. All three of Towson's wins have been by double digits while its two losses to Old Dominion and Robert Morris have been by a combined three points.
 
The Tigers have enjoyed some brilliant stretches of sustained defensive effort during their homestand. Highlights include a breathtaking 30-0 run against Stony Brook, held Old Dominion to one basket over the final 11 minutes, had a 28-0 scoring surge against Goucher and limited Loyola to no baskets in the final 7 minutes, 23 seconds of the first half.
 
"I believe our defense is starting to get back to Towson defense," Davis said. "We are taking pride in what we do because it works. We all know that defense is the key to our success."
 
Starting Five
5 games with 20 or more points for junior guard Mike Morsell to begin the season.
13.0 points per game averaged by Davis during this homestand.
17 points allowed in the first half by Towson against Loyola, the fewest it has permitted since allowing 12 to Drexel last season.
34.0 percent opponents' shooting allowed by Towson over its last five games.
48.1 percentage of Towson baskets that have ended with an assist during its homestand.
 
Today's Game
Towson meets Fairleigh Dickinson for the third straight year and sixth time overall. FDU has edged Towson in each of the last two meetings, 85-84 in overtime on Dec. 29, 2014 and 69-68 on Dec. 18, 2015 in Teaneck. The Knights won last year's game by scoring the final six points of the contest. Marques Townes had the decisive basket with 5.8 seconds remaining to bring Towson's six-game winning streak to an end. Towson's lone win in the series was an 80-66 win on Dec. 5, 1979.
 
A Look At Fairleigh Dickinson
FDU won the Northeast Conference tournament last season and competed in the NCAA Tournament where it lost to Florida Gulf Coast in a First Four game. This season, the Knights have dropped six of their first eight contests despite Darian Anderson (17.8 ppg.), Mike Holloway (14.1) and Stephan Jiggetts (11.6) averaging double figures. The Knights lost 90-73 to Iona despite Holloway's 17 points. Jiggetts added 14 points and Kaleb Biship had 13 points and seven rebounds.
 
Nationally Speaking
Towson is ranked in top 50 nationally in offensive rebounds per game (20th, 14.4), field-goal percentage defense (19th, 36.9), rebound margin (23rd, 8.2), free throw attempts (31st, 234.0) and scoring defense (35th, 62.4). 
 
Mr. Thomas' Neighborhood
Towson's Alex Thomas has been solid in recent games for the Tigers. He had a season-high three blocked shots in the win over Loyola. Thomas also pulled down a career-best seven rebounds against Loyola. He has grabbed at least five rebounds in three straight games. For the season, he has at least five rebounds five times.
 
Davis Thriving
Davis has scored in double figures in five consecutive games. Davis started the homestand by posting consecutive double-doubles against Stony Brook (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Robert Morris (18, 10) for the first time since Jan. 22-24, 2015.
 
Up Next
Towson plays its final non-conference road game when it visits UMBC next Saturday at the RAC Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.