LAS VEGAS – The Towson University men's basketball team rebounded from yesterday's defeat in strong fashion, taking down New Mexico 73-58 on Friday night to conclude its part in the Las Vegas Invitational.
Towson (4-3) began the game on a 22-5 run and never looked back, leading by double digits the rest of the contest vs. New Mexico (4-3). Towson led from four seconds in after a
Terry Nolan Jr. layup and never trailed.
Towson outrebounded New Mexico 45-31 in the game and held UNM to 32.3% shooting.
Key Stats:
- The Tigers outscored the Lobos 42-29 in the first half, including beginning the game on a 12-0 run.
- Nicolas Timberlake earned a career-high of 25 points in the game, including shooting 6-for-10 from three-point range, adding five rebounds and two assists. Cam Holden earned another double-double, tallying up 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Terry Nolan Jr. picked up 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals.
- For New Mexico, Jamal Mashburn Jr. finished with 26 points, shooting 9-for-18 from the field. Taryn Todd concluded with 14 points and a pair of blocks.
How It Happened:
- Towson got off to a fast start as Terry Nolan Jr. scored a layup right off the jump, then hit a long three on the very next possession. Towson's defense held New Mexico off the boards and continued to build the run, adding a Nicolas Timberlake three, a Cam Holden layup and one then a Charles Thompson free throw to complete the 12-0 run. After New Mexico got a layup to score for the first time, Timberlake knocked down another three to make it 15-2 Towson with 14:33 left in the 1st.
- Towson's aggressive defense kept paying dividends, leading to fast breaks the other way. Another 7-0 run, sparked by a long three from Holden, sent Towson to a 22-5 advantage with 11:46 to go in the opening period.
- Towson got the lead as high as 19 with a couple of free throws from Thompson with just over six minutes left in the period. Some of New Mexico's threes started to fall, as a couple of baskets pulled the Lobos within 12.
- The teams started to go back and forth, with Towson continuing to find room in the paint. Baskets from Nolan and Holden late gave Towson a 42-29 lead at the break.
- After New Mexico got within 12 again, two Holden free throws started to rebuild the lead. After a strong defensive rebound by Thompson, the other way, Timberlake knocked down the corner three to send Towson ahead 49-32 with 16:18 to play.
- Again New Mexico came back to within 13, and again, Towson's three-point shots kept the Tigers ahead. Timberlake knocked one down on the wing, then Nolan added one from deep, pushing Towson up 58-38 with 12:27 to go.
- Towson's defense and rebounding kept its lead strong the rest of the way, preventing New Mexico from going on a long run. UNM made it back to within 13 with 3:49 left to play, but the Tigers closed out strong, holding the Lobos without points for a crucial two minutes and change. Late points from Holden sealed the deal as Towson took the 73-58 victory.
Inside the Numbers
- Nicolas Timberlake's previous career-high in points was 22 against Northeastern on Feb. 14, 2021. Before today, his season-high was 18 vs. Monmouth on Nov. 13.
- Cam Holden has four double-doubles this year, having at least nine rebounds in six of seven games this season. He has also scored in double figures in all seven games this year.
- Terry Nolan Jr. has scored double digit points in four consecutive games.
- Rahdir Hicks had a career-high in rebounds with eight, surpassing his three vs. Penn on Tuesday.
- This was the first meeting between Towson and New Mexico since Dec. 30, 1989.
Next Game:
- Towson will next play at home, hosting LIU at SECU Arena on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. For ticket information, interested parties may contact the Towson Athletics ticket office by visiting www.towsontigers.com, calling 1-855-TU-TIGER or emailing dkogok@towson.edu.
- TowsonTigers.com –
