TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University men's basketball team plays its final home game of the 2017-18 season when it hosts James Madison. The Tigers will celebrate the contributions of seniors Van Rolle, Brian Starr, Eddie Keith II and Mike Morsell to the program in a brief pre-game ceremony.
 
In addition, Towson will host its 2018 men's basketball hoops fest, in which former men's basketball players and a few coaches return. Also, Towson will recognize its African-American Hall of Famers during halftime.
 

When:	Saturday, February 17, 2018
Where	SECU Arena -- Towson, Md.
Time:	7 p.m.
Records:	Towson (18-10, 8-7 CAA); James Madison (8-19, 4-10)
Television:	None
Radio:	CBS Sports Radio 1300 AM with Spiro Morakes
Series History:	James Madison leads 32-16
Social Media Updates:	@Towson_MBB

 
Senior Snapshot
Towson's senior class has combined for 70 victories, a postseason appearance, a 10-game winning streak, which was tied for the third longest in program history, and two in-season tournament championships. They have combined to score 2,663 points during their distinguished careers. Starr was named to the All-Tournament Team of the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase. Morsell was named MVP of the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase. Keith II was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic All-Tournament Team.
 
Quotable
Towson head coach Pat Skerry on his senior class.
"They're good players and really good guys. The goal is to not only send them out with a win, but a whole bunch of wins so they can become champions and get their degrees. Brian's done a great job quarterbacking for us the last two years. Van's been a great addition. It's not an easy job being a walk-on student-athlete but he's done that admirably well. Mike and Eddie, I feel like I've had them here forever with me. Eddie is one of the most versatile and competitive guys we've had. He's been a junkyard dog type of player for us and Mike's had a heck of a career. I know myself, the staff and their peers all want to send them out the right way."
 
Last Time Out For Towson
Towson held Delaware to one basket over the final 3 minutes, 55 seconds and survived a last second 3-point shot attempt to claim a 67-65 victory Thursday night. Senior guard Mike Morsell helped Towson defeat Delaware for the sixth consecutive time by scoring 13 of his game-high 19 points in the second half. Senior guard Brian Starr, who was celebrating his birthday, added 15 points. Senior forward Eddie Keith II and sophomore guard Zane Martin finished with nine points each and junior Alex Thomas tied his season best with nine rebounds. Keith II blocked Ryan Allen's potential game-winning 3-point shot attempt from the top of the key as time expired to help Towson end a two-game home skid.
 
A Look At James Madison
The Dukes have lost seven straight road games. Despite a career night from James Madison freshman guard Matt Lewis on Thursday, College of Charleston hit a deep three-pointer with 2.2 seconds remaining in overtime to capture an 81-78 victory over the Dukes at the JMU Convocation Center.  Lewis turned in the fourth-best freshman scoring effort in school history--second-best since the program's move to Division I--with 33 points on 10-of-16 shooting. He drained four treys and was 9-of-10 from the free throw line to best his previous career scoring record of 26, which he had notched twice this season. Freshman guard Darius Banks joined Lewis in double figures, turning in a complete night with 17 points and a team-best six rebounds to go with a career-high five steals. Junior guard Stuckey Mosley chipped in 10 points. JMU is 2-3 in overtime games this season.
 
Last Meeting Against JMU
 Zane Martin scored 28 points and Mike Morsell added 20 but it wasn't enough for the Towson University men's basketball team in a 79-73 loss at James Madison on Saturday, Feb. 3. Justin Gorham added a career best 17 rebounds and scored nine points for the Tigers. Eddie Keith II also reached double digits for Towson with 10 points. Keith II scored Towson's final five points. Stuckey Mosley led James Madison with 35 points. De Velle Phillips, who dunked with 69 seconds remaining to give the Dukes the lead for good, added 17 points and eight rebounds.
 
SECU Success
Towson is 55-20 all-time at SECU Arena. Over the last three years, the Tigers are 32-10. Towson is 9-3 at SECU this season. Six of its nine wins have been by double digits.  With a win, Towson will have won double digit home games for the fourth time in the five-year history of SECU Arena.
 
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.
 
Balanced Tigers
Towson has eight 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, 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.
 
Working Overtime
Towson is 3-1 in overtime this season, beating Morgan State, 82-78, on Dec. 6, William & Mary, 96-82, on Jan. 25 and Drexel, 94-92 on Feb. 8. The Tigers fell to UNCW, 73-71 on Jan. 20.  The game against Drexel on Feb. 2, 2017 was Towson's first double overtime game since it beat William & Mary at home, 99-86, on Jan. 9, 2013. 
 
Nationally Speaking
Currently with a RPI of 125, Towson is ranked among the top 50 in five categories: 20th in total rebounds (1,068), 36th in rebounding margin (5.5), 39th in offensive rebounds per game (12.2), 43rd in total blocks (120).
 
Comeback Tigers
Towson has rallied six five 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) and a 47-37 deficit to beat William & Mary (96-82). Towson overcame an early 16-6 hole to beat Delaware (75-71). The Tigers came back from a 67-49 deficit with 11:11 remaining to beat Drexel, 94-92, in overtime.
 
Witherspoon's Special Night
Former Towson great Larry Witherspoon established the Towson single-game scoring record of 51 points at American University on Feb. 17, 1973. He scored 26 points in the first half and 25 in the second half. The Tigers lost the game, 107-89.
 
Up Next
Towson plays its final two games of the season on the road beginning with a visit to Northeastern on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. It will be the second meeting in 12 days between the Tigers and Huskies.