TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University men's basketball team returns to the road to battle UNCW Saturday night in a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) contest.
 
The Tigers have captured four of their last five games to tighten the standings. Towson enters Saturday's game, a game behind league leaders William & Mary, Hofstra, and Northeastern. Also tied with Towson in the league standings are the College of Charleston, Elon and Delaware. So that's seven squads within one game of first place.

 

When:	Saturday, January 20, 2018
Where	Trask Coliseum -- Wilmington, N.C.
Time:	7 p.m.
Records:	Towson (14-6, 4-3 CAA); UNCW (5-14, 2-5)
Television:	None
Radio:	CBS Sports Radio 1300 AM with Spiro Morakes
Series History:	UNCW leads 22-15
Social Media Updates:	@Towson_MBB

Last Time Out For Towson
Towson scored 13 consecutive points to close out the first half on the way to a 90-68 victory over Drexel Thursday night inside SECU Arena. The Tigers put five players in double figures for the second-straight game and fourth time in the past five games. Zane Martin led the way with 18 points, while Brian Starr added 16 points.  Mike Morsell and Justin Gorham each scored 13, and Deshaun Morman finished with 12.
 
A Look At UNCW
UNCW lost to the College of Charleston, 80-76, on Thursday. It was the Seahawks second consecutive loss. Redshirt sophomore guard Ty Taylor of UNCW scored 23 points to lead all scorers in the contest, including 17 in the second half as the Seahawks rallied down the stretch. Junior forward Devontae Cacok, the nation's leading rebounder, racked up 20 points and 13 rebounds, recording his 14th double-double of the season and 27th of his career. Senior guard Jordon Talley contributed 18 points and eight assists. For the season, Cacok leads the Seahawks in points (17.6) and rebounds (12.9).
 
Last Meeting Against UNCW
Playing its first home game in 26 days, the Towson University men's basketball team used a devastating second half burst to run away from visiting UNCW, 89-71. Six players reach double figures highlighted by senior Mike Morsell's 24 points. Sophomore Justin Gorham notched his first career double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds). Sophomore Zane Martin and senior Brian Starr added 12 points each. Senior Eddie Keith II scored in double figures for the third straight game with 11 points. The Tigers put the game away with a 22-8 second half run. UNCW senior guard Jordon Talley finished with 14 points to become the 24th player in program history to join the 1,000-point club. Devontae Cacok (10 rebounds) and Ty Taylor led the Seahawks with 15 points each.
 
Board Bosses
Towson has outrebounded 62 of its last 70 opponents. Since head coach Pat Skerry took over the program in 2011-12, Towson has grabbed at least 40 rebounds 94 times.
 
90 Is Dandy
In consecutive games: William & Mary (99) and Drexel (90), Towson scored 90 or more points.  It's the first time in the Pat Skerry era TU has scored 90 points in consecutive games.  The Tigers reached the 90-point plateau in three-straight games during the 2005-06 season.  They defeated James Madison, 99-84, on Jan. 7, 2006, Hofstra, 94-91, on Jan. 12, 2006 and Delaware, 96-92, on Jan. 14, 2006.
 
Perfection
Towson has three games this season in which 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. Justin Gorham had 20 points against Hofstra on Jan. 11.
 
Morsell Free Throws Effect
Since the start of last season, Towson is 14-1 when Mike Morsell attempts at least six free throws.
 
Balanced Tigers
Towson has nine players averaging double digit minutes. In addition, Towson has had seven different players hit for double digits in a game this season: Zane Martin, Mike Morsell, Brian Starr, Justin Gorham, Deshaun Morman, Jordan McNeil and Eddie Keith II. Five players have scored at least 20 points in a single game at some point this season: Eddie Keith II, Zane Martin, Mike Morsell, Justin Gorham and Brian Starr.
 
Marvelous Martin
Towson University sophomore Zane Martin was named to the Lou Henson Award Mid-Season Watch List. Martin leads Towson in scoring with an 18.2 point per game average, which is fourth in the conference. He's had 10 20-point outings and has hit double figures in 14 consecutive games. Martin is also tied for eighth in the CAA in 3-pointers made per game (1.9) and 12th in field goal percentage.  He scored 20 or more points in four consecutive games from Nov. 27-Dec. 8. Martin, who scored a career best 27 points against Elon, is among the CAA Leaders with nine games of 20 or more points. Kurk Lee had 25 such games during the 1989-90 season for Towson.
 
Comeback Tigers
Towson has rallied from three double-digit deficits to win games this season. Towson overcame a 19-9 deficit to beat Penn (79-71) and a 23-10 deficit to beat Manhattan (56-55). The Tigers erased a 33-19 deficit to beat William & Mary (99-73).
 
Living Life Like Its Golden
Towson is 5-0 in its gold uniforms.
 
Up Next
Towson concludes its season series against William & Mary Thursday at SECU Arena. The game begins at 7 p.m. It's the first of a quick two-game homestand for Towson.