TOWSON, Md. – Towson University sophomore Nukiya Mayo capped her career day by hitting a free throw with 2.3 left to play to give the Tigers a thrilling 72-71 victory over UNCW Friday evening at SECU Arena.
 
How it Happened

• Towson (7-9, 2-3 CAA) came out of the locker in the third quarter and needed only 3:55 to erase a seven-point deficit and tie the game 40-40.
• The teams would stay within five points of each other the remainder of the quarter before Etalyia Vogt hit Mayo with a no-look pass down low to give Towson the 55-53 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
• Towson scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to open an eight point lead, but Madison Raque hit a pair of three-pointers to give UNCW (7-9, 0-5 CAA) a two-point lead with 5:08 left to play.
• With the Tigers trailing by two with just over a minute to play, Raine Bankston stole the ball in the backcourt and raced to the basket to tie the game.
• After both teams missed shots, the Seahawks had one last chance to take lead.  The jumper rimmed out and Mayo secured the rebound.
• Towson then called timeout to set up the final play.  As the clock got under 10 seconds, Mary Cuevas drove the right wing and threw a post-to-post pass to Mayo who drew the foul.
• Mayo made the first free throw for the one-point lead.  The second free throw rimmed out, but UNCW was not able to get off a shot.
• The story of the game was the play of Mayo.  She established new career highs in points and rebounds with 27 points and 17 rebounds.  It was her fourth double-double in the last five games.
• She did the majority of her damage in the second half with 23 points and 11 rebounds coming after halftime.
• More impressively, 14 of her 17 rebounds came on the offensive end.
• She was not the only Tiger with a double-double as Cuevas finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds.  She also recorded six blocks.
• Vogt posted a career-best nine assists to go with her eight points and six rebounds.

 
Inside the Numbers

• The victory put an end to an eight-game losing streak to the Seahawks that dated back to 2012-13 season.
• The Tigers took a season-high 80 shots.
• Towson pulled down 53 rebounds.  It is the most since they pulled down 53 against North Florida on Nov. 28, 2015.
• The Tigers secured 26 offensive rebounds and converted them into 21 second-chance points. 
• Towson converted 22 UNCW turnovers into 31 points.

 
Up Next
The Tigers return to action Sunday afternoon as they travel to face Delaware.  Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.