TOWSON, Md. – The 58th all-time men's basketball non-conference showdown between Towson and UMBC offers a classic conflict.
 
It's the irresistible force of UMBC's lights out 3-point shooting against the immovable object of Towson's sterling 3-point defense. UMBC is second nationally in 3-pointers made per game (12.7) while Towson is seventh in 3-point field goal percentage defense.
 
Something has to give.
 

When:	Saturday, December 6, 2017
Where	SECU Arena -- Towson, Md.
Time:	2 p.m.
Records:	Towson (9-1); UMBC (6-4)
Television:	None
Radio:	CBS Sports Radio 1300 AM with Spiro Morakes
Series History:	Towson leads, 37-20
Last Meeting:	Towson defeated UMBC, 73-72 on Dec. 17, 2016
Social Media Updates:	@Towson_MBB

 
Streaking

• Towson has won nine straight games overall, its longest streak since 1993.
• The Tigers have won 10 consecutive home games.
• Towson has won nine in a row over Baltimore-area programs.
• The Tigers have defeated UMBC four straight times.

 
Longest current winning streaks
TCU                14
Duke               11
TOWSON      9
Villanova         9
 
Last Time Out For Towson
Zane Martin packaged eight of his career best 25 points in overtime to lead Towson to a thrilling, 82-78, victory over Morgan State in a treasure of a non-conference contest at SECU Arena Wednesday night. In posting his fourth consecutive game of 20 or more points, Martin made a game-tying 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds remaining. Dennis Tunstall forced overtime when he blocked a pair of shots in the final 1.5 seconds. The Tigers, who won their fifth consecutive overtime game, never trailed in the extra session.
 
A Look At UMBC
Members of the America East Conference, the Retrievers have won five of their last six games. They beat Delaware State, 81-60, on the road Wednesday night. UMBC made 16 3-pointers. The Retrievers are second in the nation in 3-pointers made per game (12.7) and fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (43.6). UMBC has made at least 10 3-pointers in nine straight games. Jarius Lyles leads four players in double figures with a 19.9 point per game average. Also averaging double figures for UMBC are Arkel Lamar (15.6), K.J. Maura (12.0), and Joe Sherburne (11.4). UMBC opened the season with losses to SMU and Arizona.
 
National Notice
Towson received a vote in the 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 head coach Pat Skerry.
 
Shining Starr
Brian Starr has started 32 consecutive games. Towson is 22-10 during that span with a pair of six-game winning streaks included. Starr grabbed a career best seven rebounds and nailed a 40-foot 3-pointer at the end of the first half in the Tigers win over Morgan State while playing 38 splendid minutes.
 
Home Cooking
During its 10-game home court winning streak, Towson's average margin of victory is 15.7 points. The Tigers have been pushed as three of their victories were in overtime. In another game against William & Mary, the Tigers rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to win. This season, Towson has averaged over 11 3-pointers made per game following its school-record tying 14 3-pointers in Wednesday's win over Morgan State.
 
Starting Strong
Currently, Towson is tied for ninth nationally in winning percentage along with defending NCAA champion North Carolina, Albany, and Loyola-Chicago. With a win Saturday, Towson would become the second Division I program to reach double digit victories along with Duke (11-0).
 
SECU Success
Towson is 48-16 all-time at SECU Arena after finishing with a 12-3 home record last season. Over the last three years, the Tigers are 27-6. The Tigers have won 10 straight home games.
 
Up Next
It will be a Vegas 16 reunion when Towson visits Oakland, currently ranked 13th in the Mid-Major poll. Oakland defeated Towson, 90-72, in the quarterfinals of the Vegas 16 tournament in Las Vegas on March 28, 2016. Mike Morsell (22 points) and Eddie Keith II (11) combined for 33 points on 13-of-23 shooting. Morsell made four 3-pointers in the game against Oakland.