When:	Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Where	SECU Arena -- Towson, Md.
Time:	7 p.m.
Records:	Towson (14-11); Regent (3-13)
Television/Internet:	FloSports
Radio:	None
Series History:	First meeting
Streak/Last Meeting:	N/A
Social Media Updates:	@Towson_MBB

TOWSON, Md. – Don't expect Charles Thompson to approach Wednesday's non-conference game against Regent any differently than he did against Florida, Xavier or last week at Drexel.
 
Thompson will smile, bop to the pregame tunes during warmups, play hard, crash the boards, supply intensity, defense and maybe an occasional dose of offense as the Tigers play the Royals for the first time in program history.
 
Ah yes the smile.
 
It's a signature trait of the affable 6 foot, 8 inch freshman Aquarius from Fort Washington, Maryland who will celebrate his birthday on Thursday.
 
"In life there's a lot of things to keep you down so I always try to smile," Thompson said Monday afternoon before practice. "Just thinking about my situation especially if you put it into perspective, I am in a great position. I am a Division I athlete on scholarship. Some people don't get to college. That's reason enough to keep smiling."
 
Thompson's effort against last Saturday in a critical 76-69 road victory over Drexel also made his teammates, coaches and Towson fans happy.
 
He led Towson with six rebounds in 18 hard fought minutes while battling the Colonial Athletic Association's (CAA) leading rebounder James Butler of Drexel and holding his own. Thompson also came up with a key steal that led to his only basket, a rim-rocking dunk that gave Towson the lead.
 
Thompson has been a solid addition to the Tiger program this season.
 
"I remember Ja Morent's dad saying a couple of years ago to 'go where you are wanted, don't go where you want to," Thompson said. "(Towson head coach Pat) Skerry showed me that Towson wanted me and I am glad to be here. It's been great even when we travel our (assistant director for academic achievement Maranda Scott) makes sure we have everything we need to be successful."
 
He started the first five games, which included a 17-rebound performance against Bryn Athyn in his second career collegiate contest. It was tied for the ninth best single-game performance in Towson history. It was the second most rebounds by a TU freshman in program history. In four of those starts, Thompson finished with at least five rebounds.
 
Thompson has grown significantly from the daily practice battles against his senior teammates Nakye Sanders and Dennis Tunstall. Both players rank among the top 15 in the CAA in rebounding. Thompson contributes 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 points per game.
 
"I've learned a lot but mostly don't be afraid of failure," Thompson said. "They are never scared to fail and I believe that if you're scared to fail then you'll never be able to grow. You have to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I've been learning my role and trying to be a star in my role. You can't be too low when you have a bad game and you can't be too high when you have a good game. Keep it steady and keep it pushing."
 
Thompson enjoyed a decorated high school career and brought his passion along with winning personality to York Road. He helped Saint Stephens & Saint Agnes win the Interstate Athletic Conference tournament for the first time since 2007, making the Saints the outright champions in one of the area's toughest leagues. Thompson, who participated in the Capital Classic, was named VISAA First Team and Player of the Year and IAC Player of the Year.
 
Thompson, who wears a size 17 sneaker, has a close family. He has four brothers and three sisters. It's the moments he remembers with his mom, Sydnee, when he wasn't playing basketball that fueled a passion for wanting to flip houses later in life.
 
"We watched a lot of flipping house shows ever since I was little. Whenever the TV was or when my mom was cooking, we would watch Property Brothers or Flip To How To. I've always had an interest in that and hopefully when I get older, I can do something like that."
 
A Look At Regent

• Regent enters the game with a 3-13 overall after winning its last outing, 59-42, over Piedmont International.
• The Royals held Piedmont International to 30.2 percent shooting in the victory.
• Vincent Reed-Berry led four Royals in double figures with 15 points and seven rebounds.
• Markell Riggins added 14 points, Kris Warren supplied 12 points and Drew Aiken tallied 10 points.
• Regent's top scorers this season have been Riggins (10.8 points per game) Warren (8.9).
• The Royals also have impressive size in 6-9 sophomore center Damon Hammack-Fitzgerald and 6-6 sophomore forward Andrew Walton.
• Regent has played five NCAA opponents: Howard, Morgan State, Hampton, Division II Chowan and Division III Greensboro, dropping all by at least 20 points.
• Located in Virginia Beach, Regent is a Division I South Region member institution in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association.

 
Sound Smart With Your Friends

• Regent is the 213th career opponent Towson will play.
• Towson's Allen Betrand (20 points) and Brian Fobbs (15) outscored Drexel, 35-29 in the second half during its win.
• Fobbs has scored in double figures in 11 consecutive contests.
• The Tigers are 32-15 in the Pat Skerry-era when allowing fewer than 60 points, including 4-1 this season.
• Towson has enjoyed scoring runs of nine or more consecutive points in 18 games.
• The Tigers have led by double digits at some point in six straight home games.

 
Up Next

• Towson returns to CAA play when it visits James Madison on Saturday at 8 p.m.
• The Tigers have won two of the last three meetings against James Madison.