TOWSON, Md. – In a game played with March-like intensity in November, Towson dropped a tough 84-80 overtime decision to Kent State
in front of a raucous crowd at SECU Arena on Monday night.
Fans attending this topsy-turvy non-conference struggle six days into the 2019-20 season received their monies worth and headed into the cool evening hoarse. Players on both teams of the physical battle played soul-to-soul defense, made tough shots and fought for every loose ball. Drives to the basket drew thudding contact. Each defensive possession was played with ferocious desperation.
In a game featuring 16 ties and seven lead changes, Towson overcame a three-point halftime deficit and led for most of the second half, but Kent State tied the game with 14 seconds remaining regulation and never trailed in overtime.
While the result was disappointing, the game was significant for both programs in raising additional awareness about autism. Towson wore special blue jerseys for Autism Awareness.
Many in the Baltimore area are aware of Towson head coach
Pat Skerry's relentless, determined and impactful work with Autism Awareness since his youngest son, Owen, is on the spectrum. One of Kent State's players is Kalin Bennett. He is believed to be the first person with autism to sign a national letter of intent to play a NCAA Division I team sport.
Skerry met Bennett and shared a few moments with him prior to Kent State's practice on Sunday afternoon.
Quotable
Towson head coach Pat Skerry on the effort of his players.
"I liked how hard our guys played. There's some good things tonight. We took care of the ball and I thought our defense was pretty good. I think it was a high level and pretty good early season basketball game. Our defensive numbers were decent and I felt we ran around a little bit late and weren't in gaps and got out of stances. A couple of times, we had them down and weren't able to close the door. Hopefully it's something we learn from."
On meeting Bennett and the significance of the contest.
"As a parent, it's pretty impressive that a guy overcomes those types of obstacles and play Division I basketball at a pretty high level. That's what sports is, overcoming adversity and preserving. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Rob Senderoff and his program. They weren't hung up on what his differences were. They took him and believed in and are working with him. It's a pretty cool thing."
Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff on the game and how this series developed.
"For us to come here and get a win is really meaningful for us. I hope at the end of the year, I hope they'll say it wasn't a bad loss for them and that they'll say that was a good team that they lost to. Pat has done a fantastic job with his program. The reason we chose to play this game and do is game is because of Pat and his family and the work that he's done with raising awareness about autism.
How It Happened
- Brian Fobbs finished with a season-best scoring (20 points) and rebounding (eight) total.
- Jason Gibson added a career best 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting.
- Gibson helped Towson's bench outscore Kent State's reserves, 28-27.
- Dennis Tunstall had 12 points and Allen Betrand finished with 11 points.
- Anthony Roberts led Kent State with 21 points, adding seven rebounds and three assists.
- Danny Pippen, who had 17 points and five blocked shots, scored Kent State's first five points in overtime.
- Leading 72-70 in the final 30 seconds, Kent State's Phillip Whittingham corralled a second offensive rebound on its final possession to tie the game.
- Whittington ended with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
- Towson had two shots to win the game in regulation.
- The Tigers went over eight minutes without a basket after Fobbs scored to give Towson a 69-66 lead with 3 minutes, 49 seconds remaining.
- Towson made nine of its first 11 shots to begin the second half and erase a three-point halftime deficit to open its largest advantage, 46-39, with 15:10 remaining.
Inside the Numbers
- It was the 13th time in Fobbs' career he scored 20 or more points.
- Fobbs and Gibson have scored in double figures in every game this season.
- Fobbs played all but 23 seconds of the game.
- Tunstall hit double digits for the fourth time in his career.
- The two 3-pointers Tunstall made were the most he made in a game.
- Betrand reached double digits for the second time this season and sixth time in his career.
- Kent State won the rebounding battle, 38-33.
- Jakigh Dottin had a season best five assists.
- The teams combined to attempt 54 foul shots and commit 46 fouls.
- In addition, four players fouled out and there were two technical fouls.
- Towson has lost three consecutive overtime games.
- Kent State participated in the College Insider Tournament (CIT) last season.
Up Next
- Towson will get ready for a nationally televised matchup on ESPN2, heading to Gainesville to challenge 15th-ranked Florida on Thursday, Nov. 14th at 7 p.m.
Find Tickets
- Tickets to Towson home games are available now by calling 1-855-TU-TIGER or email 4tigertix@towson.edu.
