TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University men's basketball team returns to the hardwood after a week away to host James Madison. This concludes a three-game homestand. The Tigers are looking to extend their winning streak to a season best four games.
 
The Dukes have won four of the last five matchups against the Tigers, including a 74-73 victory in the first round of the CAA Tournament after rallying from an 11-point second-half deficit. While the Tigers are rolling, the talented and dangerous Dukes enter this contest having dropped their last three games.
 
Towson dazzled like diamonds in enjoying a week like no other after rolling to double digit victories over Drexel and Delaware. The Tigers led both games by 22 points at halftime. It was the first time since 2008-09 that a conference squad has led consecutive CAA contests by at least 20 points at intermission.

 

When:	Saturday, January 18, 2020
Where	SECU Arena -- Towson, Md.
Time:	2 p.m.
Records:	Towson (9-9, 3-3); James Madison (8-9, 1-5)
Television/Internet:	FloSports with Brent Harris and John Feinstein
Radio:	CBS Sports Radio 1300AM with Spiro Morekas
Series History:	JMU 35-17
Streak/Last Meeting:	JMU W1/ James Madison, 74-73, 3/9/19
Social Media Updates:	@Towson_MBB

Game Promotions

• Hometown Heroes
• Teacher Appreciation Day
• Band Alumni Reunion

 
Starting Five

• Towson is 5-3 at home this season.
• The Tigers are 3-1 in 2020.
• The Tigers combined for 35 assists during their two wins last week, including a season-best 18 against Delaware.
• James Madison is shooting 29.4 percent (30-for-102) from 3-point distance in six conference contests.
• Brian Fobbs averaged 22 points per game in three outings against JMU last season and scored 29 points in a 66-59 win over JMU at SECU Arena on Feb. 9, 2018.

 
Towson Update

• Sophomore guard Allen Betrand was named CAA Player of the Week for the first time in his career on Monday, Jan. 13.
• Betrand has scored in double figures in seven straight games.
• He leads the Tigers in CAA scoring at 18.2 points per game, which is seventh overall.
• Betrand is third in the CAA in free-throw percentage (84.8), 10th in 3-point field goal percentage (41.4) and 13th in scoring (13.9).
• In its last three games, Towson has allowed an average of 22.6 points in the first half. UNCW scored 21, Drexel had 25 and Delaware tallied 22 points.
• Nakye Sanders is third in the CAA in offensive rebounds (2.4) and seventh in rebounding (6.8)
• Fobbs is seventh in the CAA in free throw percentage (81.5) and ninth in scoring (15.7).
• Fobbs has 27 career games in which he's made at least two or more 3-pointers.
• Dennis Tunstall is fourth in the CAA in blocked shots (1.1), tied for fourth in offensive rebounding (2.4) and tied for 16th in rebounding (5.6).
• During its three-game winning streak, Towson is connecting at a 49.1 clip (85-for-173).
• The Tigers are averaging 80 points and 15.6 assists per game in their last three victories.
• In the win over Delaware, Nicolas Timberlake (14 points) and Juwan Gray (13) combined for 27 of the Tigers' 33 bench points.

 
A Look At James Madison

• James Madison is playing at the sixth-fastest pace (75.4) in the country, per KenPom. The Dukes have not played quicker than 67.9 possessions per game under Lou Rowe.
• The Dukes lead the CAA in rebounding (40.6), which is 24th nationally.
• James Madison is second in the CAA in scoring offense (74.6).
• James Madison is last in the CAA in scoring defense (76.4).
• James Madison has been led by its triumvirate of Matt Lewis (18.1 points per game), Darius Banks (12.6) and Dwight Wilson (11.5 points, 10.8 rebounds per game).
• Lewis scored 24 points in a 78-71 loss to Drexel at the Convocation Center last Saturday.
• Lewis averaged 21 points per game in three contests against the Tigers last season.
• Lewis added three assists and two steals to his performance to lead three Dukes (8-9, 1-5) in double figures, as junior Darius Banks added 13 points and freshman Michael Christmas chipped in 12 points and six boards in last week's loss to Drexel.
• Wilson is 12th nationally in rebounds per game (10.8).

 
Sound Smart With Your Friends

• James Madison and Towson have combined to make 253 3-pointers on 32.3 percent shooting this season.
• Sanders has grabbed at least six rebounds in a game 13 times.
• Dennis Tunstall needs two blocked shots to become the ninth player in Towson men's basketball history to have 100 for his career.
• During its three-game winning streak, Towson has recorded an assist on 55 percent of its baskets.
• In 52 games against James Madison, Towson has scored 80 or more points five times.

 
Looking Forward

• Towson starts a two-game road trip at Elon (Thursday, Jan. 23) and William & Mary (Saturday, Jan. 25).
• These two games conclude the first half of the CAA schedule.
• The Tigers won at Elon last season.
• Towson lost both games to William & Mary and have dropped three straight overall to the Tribe.

Next Home Game

• Towson hosts UNCW on Thur., Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.
• Towson's 1989-90 and 1990-91 NCAA Tournament teams will be honored during the game.