TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University men's basketball team concludes its three-game homestand by hosting Drexel in a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) matinee. This will be the second of two meetings against the Dragons this season. This is also Towson's annual autism awareness game. The Towson Basketball Autism Awareness Weekend is proud to announce a donation from UBS Financial Services, Inc., The Leonard/Mason Group, and their support for both home games.
| When: |
Saturday, February 16, 2019 |
| Where |
SECU Arena -- Towson, Md. |
| Time: |
2 p.m. |
| Records: |
Towson (9-17, 5-8); Drexel (12-15, 6-8) |
| Television/Internet: |
Stretch Internet |
| Radio: |
CBS Radio 1300 AM with Spiro Morakes |
| Series History: |
Drexel leads 49-23 |
| Streak/Last Meeting: |
Drexel won the last meeting 72-66 on Jan. 17 |
| Social Media Updates: |
@Towson_MBB |
Coaches Powering Forward
This year, coaches from around the country will be raising money for autism through Coaches Powering Forward for Autism benefiting Autism Speaks. Coaches will also be wearing the blue puzzle piece pin on their suit jackets during the games this weekend. The movement was started by Towson head coach
Pat Skerry and USF assistant coach Tom Herrion. Last season, more than 375 NCAA coaches participated by wearing an Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece lapel pin to help increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism. In total, more than 4,400 pins were worn by coaching staff, officials, broadcasters, and school teams.
About Autism
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in our society. According to the Autism Speaks website, one in every 68 children (one in every 42 boys) is diagnosed on the autism spectrum. ASD affects over 3 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Moreover, government autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years.
Towson Update
- The Tigers lost 78-71 in double overtime to Delaware on Thursday.
- Brian Fobbs scored 29 points for the second straight game. It was his fifth 20-point outing in eight games and 21st double-digit effort in the past 22 contests.
- Fobbs has been TU's top scorer 20 times and ranks 6th in the CAA in scoring (18.0 ppg) in conference play. Fobbs is averaging 22.2 points in his last five games.
- Dennis Tunstall grabbed a career best 21 rebounds becoming the second CAA player this season to have at least 20 rebounds in a game this year. He is averaging 7.9 rebounds per game this season.
- Tobias Howard added 15 points vs. Delaware. He's averaging 11.6 ppg in his past five games.
- Towson has held its last three opponents below 40 percent shooting. The Tigers are 1-2 in those games.
Tunstall's Career Night
- Dennis Tunstall established a SECU Arena record, passing Jerelle Benimon's previous mark of 18 established against Delaware on Feb. 17, 2014.
- Tunstall became the ninth Tiger in program history to grab at least 20 rebounds in a single game.
- The 21 rebounds are tied for the fifth-most in a single game in program history.
- This was the 16th time in program history a Towson player finished with at least 20 rebounds.
- This was the first time since 2012 a Towson player had at least 20 rebounds in a game.
- This was Tunstall's fifth double-digit rebounding performance of the season.
A Look At Drexel
- Drexel has lost four of its last six games since beating Towson on Jan. 17
- Three of those losses were by two points or less.
- Alihan Demir scored 23 points and James Butler had a double-double in a 71-69 road loss at James Madison. Demir was 10-for-19 shooting. Butler finished the night with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
- As a team, the Dragons were just 5-for-20 from deep against JMU and finished the night shooting just 38 percent.
- Troy Harper scored 30 points against the College of Charleston in an 86-84 loss. Harper leads the Dragons in scoring with 15.9 points per game.
- Butler, who ranks 5th in the CAA in rebounding (8.2 rpg), has six double-doubles.
- Drexel has five players averaging double digits. In addition to Harper, Drexel's other double digit scorers are Demir (14.6 ppg.), Trevor John (11.9), Camren Wynter (10.4) and Butler (10.1).
The First Meeting (Thursday, Jan. 17)
- Nakye Sanders posted his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in a 72-66 loss at Drexel on Jan. 17 in Philadelphia.
- Brian Fobbs led the Tigers with 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
- Allen Betrand, playing his first career collegiate game in his hometown, scored a career best 11 points. Tobias Howard, Jr. had nine points and five assists.
- Alihan Demir scored a game-high 22 points and had 16 rebounds for Drexel, which rallied from a 57-47 deficit in the final 10 minutes.
- Jarvis Doles scored 16 points and made four 3-pointers. Troy Harper added 10 points while Camren Wynter handed out eight assists for the Dragons.
Perfection When It Comes to Graduation
- Towson has a perfect men's basketball graduation rate under head coach Pat Skerry.
- The Tigers are 21-for-21.
Towson In the Community
- Towson is the Division I national champion of the NCAA Team Works Helper Helper Competition for the Fall 2018 semester. Towson completed the most community service hours among all schools in the competition, including 75 different Division I departments and approximately 300 total programs across the country.
- The Towson men's basketball team has been active in the community since returning to campus in August. Members of the team spoke at Loch Raven Academy, participated in Towson West Elementary School's Back To School Night and the Autism Speaks Walk.
- In addition to the athletic and academic success, the Tigers ranked first nationally in Division I men's team sports for their community service activities in the 2017 NCAA Team Works Helper Helper Community Service Competition.
- Towson hosted its annual autism clinic on Wednesday, Feb. 13 in conjunction with the Hussman Center and the women's basketball program.
CAA Tournament Tickets on Sale
- All-session ticket books for the 2019 CAA Men's Basketball Championship go on sale Thursday, January 10 through TicketMaster (1-800-745-3000), TicketMaster.com and the North Charleston Coliseum Advance Ticket office.
- The CAA's premier event returns to the Lowcountry on March 9-12, 2019 as the North Charleston (S.C.) Coliseum hosts nine games over four days, with the winner earning the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship.
- Ticket books, which provide admission to all games of the tournament, can be purchased for as little as $80.
Up Next
- Towson begins its final regular season trip by visiting league leading Hofstra on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.
