TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University men's basketball team saw Baltimore-native
Demetrius Mims earn a career-high 16 points in its first game since Dec. 26 but fell in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opener vs. James Madison 81-72.
Towson led early against its Harrisonburg-based rival, having the lead through the first seven minutes. The Tigers were victim to a 30-point scoring day by JMU's Matt Lewis, the CAA's Preseason Player of the Year.
Records:
- Towson – 1-5, 0-1 CAA
- James Madison: 6-4, 1-0 CAA
Key Stats:
- Demetrius Mims earned 16 points, his career-high and second straight double digit scoring game, shooting 7-for-13 from the field. Jason Gibson had 11 points in his return off the bench while Solomon Uyaelunmo had six points and a career-best 12 rebounds.
- Towson won the rebounding battle 41-32 with nine Tigers having multiple boards. The Tigers also scored 36 points in the paint to JMU's 20.
- For JMU, Matt Lewis shot 9-for-12 from three to earn 30 points and eight assists. Justin Amadi had a double-double off 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Postgame Quote:
Towson head coach
Pat Skerry: "In our first game in conference play, hats off to JMU. The two big differences in the game were Matt Lewis and we committed too may live-ball turnovers. Our guys played hard; we have a lot of work to do."
How it Happened:
- Towson got off to a fast start in the early minutes as Solomon Uyaelunmo and Nicolas Timberlake hit layups to begin. After a Matt Lewis three, Demetrius Mims hit consecutive shots, capped by a fast break corner three, for a 9-3 Towson advantage.
- Later, Towson kept the pressure on and saw Timberlake take advantage of a JMU turnover and hit a layup to push the home team's advantage to 13-6 in the opening five minutes.
- Towson held the lead until JMU tied it up with 12:22 in the first. The Tigers and Dukes traded the lead back and forth over the coming minutes, with a couple of driving layups and later a three by Jakigh Dottin getting Towson back in front 27-26 with 6:33 to go in the first.
- JMU primarily attacked from the perimeter and underneath the basket, piecing together a 12-0 run, with baskets from Jalen Hodge and Justin Amadi, to go ahead 38-27. Later, a Vado Morse three-pointer gave the visitors a 44-32 advantage at the half.
- Towson continued to attack close to the basket, trying to chip away against JMU's three-point shooting. Charles Thompson hit a tough layup in transition and one, adding a Jason Gibson free throw to pull within eight. Later, a putback from Chris Biekeu and a layup from Gibson got the Tigers back within seven at 54-47 with 12:13 to play.
- JMU kept getting its lead back to double digits, then Towson against would inch back with a baskets and free throws. Thompson and Victor Uyaelunmo had free throws as the Tigers held JMU to one field goal in a span of three minutes, trying to come back down 68-60 with three minutes to go.
- The final minutes saw the two sides exchange free throws. A field goal and one from Gibson again brought Towson within eight, but the Tigers could not get closer. JMU took the victory 81-72.
Inside the Numbers:
- For the first time in their collegiate career, the Uyaelunmo brothers started a game together.
- This was Solomon Uyaelunmo's first-ever double-digit rebounding game.
- Jason Gibson had his 11th career double-figure scoring game and first of the season.
- Before today, Towson's last game was a 78-73 victory over Coppin State.
Next Game:
Towson continues with CAA play on Monday, Jan. 18, hosting UNC Wilmington at SECU Arena at 2 p.m. Virtual season tickets are available now; get your personalized fan cutout today! Contact Joshua Behringer at 410-704-3330 or jbehringer@towson.edu.
- TowsonTigers.com –
