PITTSBURGH – Towson University head coach Pat Skerry has seen enough basketball games in his life to put Wednesday's 97-86 road setback at Oakland into its proper perspective. It doesn't mean he wasn't disappointed with the result, but he also understands the big picture.
 
"We lost to a good team on the road," Skerry said Thursday morning from the Tigers' downtown hotel across the river from PNC Park. "We didn't play well. We have to turn the page and get ready for another good team."
 
The Tigers will look to begin another winning streak when they visit Pittsburgh Friday night for a 7 p.m. showdown at the Petersen Events Center. This is the second consecutive season the Tigers are facing an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent on the road.
 
 

When:	Friday December 22, 2017
Where	Petersen Events Center -- Oakland, Pa.
Time:	7 p.m.
Records:	Towson (10-2); Pittsburgh (7-5)
Television:	ACC Network Extra/ESPN3
Radio:	CBS Sports Radio 1300 AM with Spiro Morakes
Series History:	First Meeting
Last Meeting:	N/A
Social Media Updates:	@Towson_MBB

 
 
Pitt Connections
Skerry was an assistant coach under Jamie Dixon in the 2010-11 season. Dixon is the all-time winningest coach for regular season Big East victories in conference history. Towson assistant coach Branden McDonald was a graduate assistant from 2013-15. The 2011 Panthers were a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the second round.
 
Last Time Out For Towson
Four players scored in double figures led by Zane Martin scored 22 points. Jordan McNeil scored a career high 18 points on 7-of-7 shooting from the field. Mike Morsell made four 3-pointers en route to finishing with 17 points. Deshaun Morman added 11 points for Towson, which never led against Oakland. The Grizzlies took control of the game with a 13-0 blitz in the first half that expanded a 19-16 lead to 32-16.   
 
A Look At Pittsburgh
The Panthers have won six of their past seven contests with Marcus Carr averaging a team-high 14.7 points per game, while shooting 57.9 percent (33-of-57) from the field, 53.8 percent (14-of-26) from three-point range and 88.5 percent (23-of-26) from the foul line, in that span. Ryan Luther, one of three players in the ACC averaging a double-double, has missed the past two games with a stress reaction in his right foot. Luther is averaging 12.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. In its last game, senior guard Jonathan Milligan had 13 points, including a pair of clutch free throws with 15.1 second remaining as Pitt held off a second half charge by Delaware State to secure a 74-68 victory on Tuesday. The Panthers were outrebounded 37-27 and outscored in the paint 20-14 against the Hornets. The Panthers have four players averaging double digits: Jared Wilson-Frame (13.1 points per game), Luther Carr (12.2), and Shamiel Stevenson (10.2).
 
National Notice
Towson received three votes in the Dec. 11, 2017 Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since Nov. 11, 2013. This is the second time in program history, Towson received a vote in the AP Top 25. Both times have been under Skerry.
 
Oakland Leftovers
Towson shot a season best 52.9 percent from 3-point distance (9-for-17) ... Alex Thomas scored a season best seven points and grabbed seven rebounds for the second consecutive game ... Deshaun Morman had a career best five steals ... The Tigers made 58.8 percent (20-for-34) in the second half.
 
Unusual Numbers
The 97 points were the second most points allowed under Pat Skerry in a non-OT game during his career. It was the fifth time Towson has allowed 90 or more points in regulation under Skerry. Drexel scored 103 points last season in double overtime and Delaware scored 97 points in overtime in 2016. Towson allowed 100 points to Kansas in Skerry's first game as head coach in 2011.
 
Perfection
Towson has two games this season in which two players were 7-of-7 from the field. Brian Starr scored 21 points against Loyola on Nov. 17. Jordan McNeil had a career best 18 points against Oakland on Dec. 20.
 
Morsell Climbing the Charts
In addition to his 1,233 points, Mike Morsell is ninth in 3-pointers made (121). Next to pass is Marcus Damas (122) and Four McGlynn (129). He is seventh in 3-pointers attempted (371). Next in his sights is Raul dePablo (376) and Marcus Damas (378). He's seventh in free throws made (294). Morsell is ninth in free throws attempted (400). He'll pass Kurk Lee (402) and Bill Leonard (411) shortly. Next up is George "Bucky" Kimmett (308) and Bill Leonard (315). He is 10th in games started (83). Brian Barber and Michael Fink started 87 games each.
 
Up Next
Towson begins Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) competition when it visits the College of Charleston on Saturday, Jan. 30. Tipoff from TD Bank Arena is 4:00 p.m.