WILMINGTON, N.C. – The historic struggles that previous Towson University men's basketball teams have endured at UNCW's Trask Coliseum were irrelevant to junior guard
Brian Fobbs when he stepped to the foul line with the Tigers trailing by one point with 5.3 seconds remaining.
With the UNCW crowd producing ear-splitting noise, Fobbs -- staring into a gaggle of fans behind the basket holding photos of giant black-and-white spinning bullseyes and waving pictures of large red bricks -- calmly sank both free throws and Towson survived UNCW's potential game-winning shot as time expired to escape with a thrilling 77-76 victory.
In winning for the third time in their last four games, the Tigers also enjoyed a happy trip home from Wilmington for the first time since 2013. This was Towson's fourth win in 18 tries in Wilmington.
Quotable
Fobbs on the free throws with 5.3 seconds remaining and winning in Wilmington.
"I was thinking to myself these are free throws we need because the last play I had fouled the 3- point shooter and he made all three so I had to make up for it. As soon as I shot both free throws I felt good about the way I dribbled and released it. I didn't know that we hadn't won here since 2013. Wow that's incredible. As a team we had to stay connected even when UNCW went on runs and the crowd screaming and yelling so that was key to make the win possible."
Fobbs on the crowd.
"It was a great feeling playing in an arena that loud. What made it even better is that we accepted the challenge and delivered. Everyone gave it all they had and this was a great team win."
Redshirt junior Dennis Tunstall on what was the key to the victory.
"What made the difference in tonight's game was us as a team starting off on the right foot instead of having to fight from behind most of the game. We also shot well as a team and won on the glass. Playing in that type of environment is what I've always dreamt of as a kid and to actually be out there playing and competing is a great feeling."
How It Happened
- Fobbs was special in finishing with his second double-double of the season with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
- Fobbs scored Towson's final eight points over the final 3 minutes, 49 seconds after UNCW took its first lead of the game, 71-68.
- Fobbs has scored in double figures in 19 consecutive contests.
- He has been Towson's leading scorer in 18 of its last 21 games.
- This was the second straight game in which Fobbs hit for at least 20 points.
- Dennis Tunstall microwaved nine of his season-high 11 points during a two-minute stretch of the first half.
- Tobias Howard Jr. and Jordan McNeil finished with 11 points each.
- Towson was trailing 76-75 when Fobbs went to the foul line because he fouled Jaylen Fornes shooting a 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining.
- Fornes made all three free throws to give the Seahawks their second lead of the game, 76-75.
- Jakigh Dottin scored five of his seven points early in the second half.
- Tunstall and Alex Thomas had two blocked shots each as the Tigers had five.
- Tunstall also made his first career 3-pointer during his 9-0 scoring run that gave the Tigers an early 17-8 advantage six minutes into the game.
- Fornes led four UNCW players in double figures with 19 points.
- Devontae Cacok (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Kai Toews (16 points, 11 assists) posted double-doubles for the Seahawks.
- Jaylen Sims scored 10 points for UNCW.
Inside the Numbers
- Towson won the rebounding battle, 34-29.
- The Tigers shot a season best 58.8 percent (30-for-51).
- This was the third time this season and second time in three games Towson has shot 50 percent or better.
- This was the eighth time this season and 18th time in his career that McNeil has reached double figures.
- Howard has six double figure outings in last eight games.
- The Tigers held the lead for 35 minutes, 52 seconds.
- Towson made its first four 3-pointers.
- Towson shot 67.9 percent (19-for-28) in the first half, which was a season best for the opening 20 minutes.
- The Tigers had 10 assists on their 19 baskets in the first half.
- Towson tied a season-high first-half scoring total with 46 points.
Up Next
Towson concludes its road trip by visiting the College of Charleston on Saturday. The game from TD Arena starts at 4 p.m.
