CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Dennis Tunstall soared over taller bodies for offensive rebounds. Nicolas Timberlake dove all over the floor for loose balls. Brian Fobbs attacked the basket with fury.
 
More importantly, the Towson University men's basketball team battled the fifth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers with passion and didn't back down. Ultimately, the Tigers dropped a 73-42 decision at sold-out James Paul Jones Arena Tuesday night in their season opening contest, but in the bigger picture, this is a minor blip in the growth process.
 
Quotable
Towson head coach Pat Skerry on the game.
"I liked how we got the ball at the rim at lot. We didn't finish great. Some things we are encouraged with. I didn't like our defense over the last 10 minutes although Virginia had something to do with that. I told our guys and I heard this from coach Calipari that "there's winning and there's learning." I think we've learned some things. I think we've got a chance over the course of the season to become a pretty good ball club. We've got some bodies and some depth. It's game one and it's a heck of a measuring stick."
 
How It Happened

• Tobias Howard sank a trio of 3-pointers to finish with a team best 10 points.
• Fobbs added nine points and six rebounds.
• Tunstall's six rebounds were a perfect complement to his six points.
• In addition to scoring a nice basket on a scooping layup during a fastbreak, Timberlake recorded three steals.
• Tunstall, Yagizhan Selcuk and Nakye Sanders finished with a blocked shot each.
• Towson led 11-9 with 10:00 remaining in the first half.
• Virginia's Ty Jerome and De'Andre Hunter combined to score 33 points.
• Jerome made three 3-pointers in each half.

 
2018-19 Season Firsts

• Fobbs collected the Tigers first defensive rebound at 7:02 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
• Fobbs attempted and made Towson's first basket, a 3-pointer, that gave Towson a 3-0 lead at 7:03 p.m. EST.
• Nakye Sanders made the Tigers first foul shot of the season at 7:11 p.m. EST.
• Timberlake recorded Towson's first steal at 7:21 p.m. EST.

 
Up Next
Towson hosts Wesley in its home opener on Sunday, Nov. 11 at SECU Arena. The game begins at 4:30 p.m. and will be the second game of a men's-women's basketball doubleheader. The women's team hosts Massachusetts starting at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 and one ticket is good for both games.