TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University men's basketball team's "reward" for beating the College of Charleston earlier this week is an all-expenses paid date with Hofstra in its next Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) contest.
 
Such is life in the rugged CAA where navigating the 18-game schedule is like attempting to survive one of Jigsaw's grisly games in the "Saw" movies. You may shed some blood or lose a limb in the process. The goal is survival. The CAA is ranked 12th out of the nation's 32 Division I conferences. In addition, three CAA teams are ranked in the top 78 of the latest NCAA RPI through Sunday's games: William & Mary (55), Elon (67) and Towson (78).
 
The CAA is one of only 10 conferences with three teams ranked in the top 78. Furthermore, Hofstra (96), Northeastern (111) and Charleston (134) are ranked among the top 150 in NCAA RPI. Seven of the league's teams had winning records in non-conference action. There are never an easy nights in this conference.
 

When:	Thursday, January 11, 2018
Where	SECU Arena -- Towson, Md.
Time:	7 p.m.
Records:	Towson (12-5, 2-2 CAA); Hofstra (9-7, 2-2)
Television:	None
Radio:	CBS Sports Radio 1300 AM with Spiro Morakes
Series History:	Hofstra leads 39-26
Social Media Updates:	@Towson_MBB

 





Educators Appreciation Night
Towson will be celebrating Education Appreciation Night. Local educators, along with guests, can receive four (4) complimentary tickets, and additional tickets can be purchased at a discounted $5 price. To redeem, please call 1-855-TU-TIGER (1-855-888-4437) or email 4tigertix@towson.edu.
 
Series Notes
This will be the 66th all-time meeting … The Tigers swept Hofstra last season … It was the Tigers first sweep since the 2013-14 season … Towson has won seven of its last 10 against Hofstra … The Pride has had seven games decided by three points or less and another in overtime this season … The Pride are third in the CAA in scoring offense (78.4) and eighth in scoring defense (78.7) … Towson is 7-5 against Hofstra under Pat Skerry.
 
Rare Six-Pack
In its victory over UNCW on Friday, Jan. 5, the Tigers had six players score in double figures (Mike Morsell 24, Zane Martin & Brian Starr 12, Eddie Keith II 11, Jordan McNeil & Justin Gorham 10). It was the first time since Dec. 28, 1992 that TU had six players score in double figures in the same game. During its 85-70 win over Bridgeport in the Connecticut Mutual Classic, Devin Boyd led six Tigers in double figures with 18 points. The other double digit scorers were Terrance Alexander (17 points), Larry Brown (13), John James (13), Andrew Mason (13) and Matt Campbell (10).
 
Last Time Out For Towson
Towson defeated the College of Charleston, 73-62 Sunday afternoon. The Tigers had five players reach double figures in scoring: Zane Martin (16 points), Brian Starr (12), Mike Morsell (11), Justin Gorham (11) and Eddie Keith II (10). Alex Thomas pulled down a season best nine rebounds. The Tigers led 45-26 at halftime and held off a second half Charleston charge. The Tigers shot 43.1 percent.   
 
A Look At Hofstra
Hofstra is coming off a 2-1 week as the Pride earned a road win over Northeastern last Tuesday before closing the week with a split of their home games, defeating James Madison and falling to Elon. Despite the loss to the Phoenix, Hofstra got two incredible individual performances against the Phoenix as junior Justin Wright-Foreman scored a career-best 39 points, while senior Rokas Gustys pulled down 23 rebounds.
 
Wright-Foreman pushed his scoring average to 25.4 points per game, to rank third in the nation. Wright-Foreman has scored in double figures in 38 straight games. It's the fifth longest streak in the nation. He has scored 20 or more points 13 times and has topped the 30-point mark four times. Gustys also shot up the leaderboard in his area of expertise as his 11.6 rebounds per game now ranks sixth nationally. Eli Pemberton contributes 15.3 points per game for the Pride.
 
Last Meeting Against Hofstra
Towson limited Hofstra to 28.6 percent shooting after intermission and rallied from a 10-point second half deficit to claim a 69-65 victory at SECU Arena Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017. Deshaun Morman led three Towson players in double figures with 13 points. Mike Morsell scored 12 points. In winning the rebounding battle, 45-33, six different TU players finished with at least five rebounds. Justin Wright-Foreman finished with a game-high 29 points for Hofstra.
 
Rank and File
In some odd scheduling quirks, Hofstra will be the fourth opponent that Towson will face that has played a game against a team ranked in the top five of the Associated Press poll at the time of the game. Hofstra lost to No. 1 Villanova, Elon lost to No. 1 Duke, Oakland lost to No. 2 Michigan State & Charleston lost to No. 3 Wichita State.
 
SECU Success
Towson is 52-16 all-time at SECU Arena, including 6-0 this season. Over the last three years, the Tigers are 29-6 in their beautiful facility. The Tigers have won 14 straight home games, which is the 10th longest streak in the country. Towson has won four consecutive home games against CAA competition by double figures. Five of Towson's six home wins this season have been by double figures.
 
Active NCAA Consecutive Home Winning Streaks
 

Cincinnati	35
SMU	33
Florida State	28
Texas Southern	26
Purdue	18
Vermont	17
UC-Davis	16
Kentucky	15
Michigan State	15
TOWSON	14

Among the CAA Leaders
Martin is fourth in the CAA in scoring (18.4 points per game), 10th in 3-pointers made per game (1.9), 11th in field goal percentage (48.7) and 15th in 3-point field goal percentage (37.5). Gorham is one of three Tigers among the top 20 rebounding leaders in the CAA. Gorham is tied for 13th (5.5), Keith II is 16th (5.1) and Thomas is 18th (4.8). Starr is ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (43.1), 11th in free throw percentage (80.9), 12th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.3) and 14th in assists (2.6).  Morman is ninth in steals (1.3) and 10th in free throw percentage (81.0).
 
Block Party
Towson has four players ranked among the CAA leaders in blocked shots. Thomas is fifth (1.2), Keith II is sixth (1.1), Tunstall is seventh (1.0), and Morsell is tied for 14th (0.6). Keith II had a career best four blocked shots Sunday against Charleston.
 
Up Next
Towson visits William & Mary Saturday at 4 p.m. The Tribe are the only undefeated CAA team at 4-0. William & Mary is 6-0 at home. The Tigers and Tribe split a pair of meetings last season with each team winning on its home court.
 
Next Home Game
Towson returns home to host Drexel on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. The Tigers will host Health Care Appreciation Night where local health care professionals will be recognized during the game. Local health care professionals, along with guests, can receive four (4) complimentary tickets, and additional tickets can be purchased at a discounted $5 price. To redeem, please call 1-855-TU-TIGER (1-855-888-4437) or email 4tigertix@towson.edu.