CHARLESTON, S.C. – Nakye Sanders and
Allen Betrand had career-best scoring performances during Towson's 81-69 setback to host College of Charleston in a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) contest at TD Arena Thursday night.
The Tigers were within, 58-55, with 7 minutes, 58 seconds remaining.
Sanders led the Tigers with his fifth career double-double (20 points, 11 rebounds). It was the first time in his career Sanders finished with 20 points. He was 9-for-9 from the foul line and 5-for-8 from the field. Sanders grabbed six of his rebounds in the second half for the Tigers.
Betrand finished with a career best 19 points. He also made a career best four 3-pointers. He scored 12 points after intermission, marking the fourth consecutive game, Betrand scored in double digits in the second half.
Brian Fobbs netted 12 points for Towson.
CAA Preseason Player of the Year Grant Riller of Charleston scored 24 of his game-high 28 points in the second half. Riller also complemented his performance with eight rebounds and three assists. Riller led five Cougar players in double digits.
Records
Towson 6-9 overall, 0-3 CAA
Charleston 9-6, 3-0
How It Happened
- Charleston outscored Towson, 17-10, in the final five minutes to extend its winning streak to three games.
- Towson and Charleston were tied at 50 with 11:43 remaining.
- The Cougars scored five straight points to take the lead for good.
- Following a pair of Fobbs foul shots, Towson was within, 63-59, with 5:13 remaining.
- The Tigers won the rebounding battle, 41-38, and held Charleston to 41.7 percent shooting (25-for-60).
- Sanders, Fobbs and Betrand combined to score Towson's first 23 points of the second half.
- Charles Thompson scored Towson's first points outside of the above-mentioned trio with a foul shot with 8:53 remaining.
- Charleston scored 12 consecutive points to open a 10-point lead midway through the first half.
- Also scoring in double figures for the College of Charleston were Sam Miller (16 points, nine rebounds), Zep Jasner (12 points helped by 10-for-10 from the foul line), Brevin Galloway (11 points) and Jaylen McManus (10 points).
Inside the Numbers
- This is the 10th time this season that Sanders has finished with at least six rebounds.
- Both of Sanders' double-doubles this season have been at TD Arena.
- He had a double-double against Buffalo in the Charleston Classic.
- Eight of the nine Tigers who saw action in the first half marked the scoring column.
- Both teams combined to attempt 51 free throws.
- The Tigers were 87 percent from the foul line (20-for-23).
- Dennis Tunstall notched his 96th career blocked shot.
- Betrand has scored in double figures in every CAA contest.
- He is averaging 17.3 points per game through three CAA games.
- Betrand has made at least one 3-pointer in 14 games this season.
- This was Betrand's 11th game this season and the 15th time in his career, he's hit for double figures.
- Fobbs reached double figures in scoring for the 39th time in his career.
- Four different Tigers made a 3-pointer (Betrand, Sanders, Gibson and Timberlake).
- During the 2016-17 season, Towson lost its first four CAA games and rebounded to win 11 of its next 12 to finish in third place.
- The Tigers played the three teams that combined for 74 victories last season in their conference games.
- Riller extended his double-digit scoring streak to 43-straight contests and has now tabulated 2,120 career points.
Up Next
- Towson visits UNCW Saturday at 7 p.m.
Next Home Game
- Towson hosts Drexel on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 at 6 p.m.
- That contest will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
- It's one of three Towson CBS Sports Network telecasts during the conference season.
- The game is Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.
Autism Awareness/Coaches Powering Forward Weekend
- This was the first of two meeting against the College of Charleston.
- The second matchup will be at SECU Arena on Saturday, Feb. 1.
- That game will the Tigers' annual Autism Awareness contest and Coaches Powering Forward weekend.
