Towson, Md. – The Towson University women's basketball team is excited to welcome five transfers and four freshmen to the squad for the 2021-22 season, as announced by head coach Diane Richardson.
The Tigers will be adding transfers Ryann Evans, Kylie Kornegay-Lucas, Jamey Napoleon, Anissa Rivera and Rayne Tucker in addition to incoming freshmen Ciara Bailey, Quinzia Fulmore, Chalon Miles and Mariah Wilson.
The Returners
Narrie Dodson
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Position: Forward
2020-21 season: Dodson appeared in 18 games last season. She scored a season-high 12 points against Salem (WV) and made one 3-pointer at Delaware. The rising senior grabbed a season-best eight rebounds against the College of Charleston. She ended her first season at Towson with 49 boards, 9 steals and 7 blocks.
Tarriyonna Gary
Hometown: Brooksville, Fl.
Position: Guard
2020-21 season: Gary appeared in all 22 games of her rookie season. She netted 10 points in back-to-back contests against Longwood and Salem (WV) to reach her career-best in the category. Gary also contributed 52 rebounds, 13 assists and seven steals.
Kiara Johnson
Hometown: Tonawanda, N.Y.
Position: Forward
2020-21 season: In her first season as a Tiger, Johnson started four games and made 18 appearances. She set season-bests in multiple categories against Hofstra in the CAA Quarterfinals including eight points, three field goals and 26 minutes on the court. Johnson also grabbed a season-high eight rebounds at UNCW and 73 total to average 4.1 per game. In addition, the forward added two assists, three steals and 12 blocks.
Allie Kubek
Hometown: Elkton, Md.
Position: Forward
2020-21 season: Kubek earned an All-CAA rookie team selection after leading the team with 7.1 rebounds per game and 156 total boards. She averaged 8.8 points per game in addition to achieving nine double figure outings and two double-double performances. The six-foot-one forward registered career-highs with 20 points, three 3-pointers and 14 rebounds against Drexel. With 22 starts, Kubek became the first freshman to start every regular season game since 2006-06 season. She was also named CAA Rookie of the Week twice.
Aleah Nelson
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
Position: Guard
2020-21 season: An All-CAA Second Team selection, Nelson averaged 6.5 assists per game to finish the season ranked eighth in the nation and first in the conference in assists per contest. She also ended the season 15th in the country and first in the league, accumulating 130 total helpers. During her first season in black and gold, Nelson led the Tigers in assists in 19 of 20 games played and contributed +5 dimes 14 times. She averaged 13.5 points per game in addition to scoring +10 points 17 times and +20 points twice.
Skye Williams
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
Position: Guard
2020-21 season: Williams appeared in all 22 games and made five starts after joining Towson for her junior season. She registered a career-high 20 points at Northeastern, cashing in on seven field goals and three 3-pointers against the Huskies. Williams reached double-digit scoring six times and averaged 7.4 points per game. She also added 41 rebounds, 27 assists and 2 steals.
The Transfers
Ryann Evans
Hometown: Columbia, Md.
High School/Previous School: Archbishop Spalding/East Carolina
Position: Guard/Forward
Accolades: Evans was one of three East Carolina players to see action in all 22 games of the 2020-21 season. She averaged just under 16 minutes on the court per night. The incoming junior also contributed 67 rebounds, 20 assists and 16 steals over the course of the season.
"Ryann is a multi-talented player that can play many positions very well," Richardson said. "Her versatility gives us strength at every position."
Kylie Kornegay-Lucas
Hometown: Camden, Del.
High School/Previous School: New Hope Academy/UVA
Position: Guard
Accolades: Finishing second on the team in rebounding while averaging 5.5 boards per game, Kornegay-Lucas appeared in all but one game for UVA and made four starts. The redshirt sophomore averaged 5.1 points per game in addition to contributing 60 assists and 41 steals. She had the best game her freshman year against Old Dominion, scoring 31 points and grabbing 12 off the glass in the overtime victory. Kornegay-Lucas went 10-of-18 from the field and 10-of-11 from the free throw line to post the Cavelier's second 30-point game of the schedule.
"Kylie brings Power Five experience and a championship mentality," Richardson said.
Jamey Napoleon
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School/Previous School: Mt. Lebanon/Central Connecticut State
Position: Forward
Accolades: Napoleon started 17 of 18 contests her sophomore year at Central Connecticut State. The forward led the Northeast Conference with 42 blocks. She shot 48.6 percent from the field in addition to scoring 4.4 points per game. The 6-foot forward averaged 6.9 rebounds per contest and 124 total boards. Napoleon maintained a 3.6 GPA as a double major to earn a spot on the NEC honor roll.
"Jamey led [the NEC] in blocked shots and will definitely add to our post presence," Richardson said.
Anissa Rivera
Hometown: Capitol Heights, Md.
High School/Previous School: National Christian Academy/North Carolina Central
Position: Guard/Forward
Accolades: Rivera is the 2020-21 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, a First Team All-MEAC honoree and a BOXTOROW First Team All-American. She has 13 MEAC weekly awards to her name and was named to the Preseason All-MEAC first team. The incoming junior ended the regular season ranked at the top the league in three major statistical categories with averages of 16.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per contest. She also contributed 1.8 steals per game. Rivera was consistent all season as she scored in double digits in all 15 games, including nine double-doubles. Nationally, Rivera ranked sixth out of all NCAA Division I players with 3.07 blocks per game at the end of the regular season. At 6-foot-1, Rivera had +3 blocks 10 times last season.
"Anissa is a skilled player that can score at all levels," Richardson said. "In addition, her defensive prowess is extraordinary, and she will do well in our system."
Rayne Tucker
Hometown: New Carrollton, Md.
High School/Previous School: Riverdale Baptist/James Madison
Position: Forward
Accolades: A two-time All-CAA honoree, Tucker will join the Tigers after spending the first two seasons of her collegiate career Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rival school, James Madison. During her sophomore season, Tucker started all 21 games while averaging 10.3 points per contest. She also averaged 6.5 rebounds per game for a total of 137 boards to help her secure three double-double performances. She scored +10 points nine times and +20 on two occasions, both against Delaware. The New Carrollton, Maryland native also contributed 17 assists, 26 blocks and eight steals.
"Rayne is a scorer and has great footwork," Richardson said. "We've seen what she can do inside and outside the lane."
The Freshmen
Ciara Bailey
Hometown: Bristol, Pa.
High School: Trenton Catholic Academy
Position: Center
Accolades: Bailey was a 2018-19 and 2019-20 Sectional Champion at Trenton Catholic. She was named the Midnight Madness 2019 MVP as well as the Mercer County MVP in 2020 and played in the TOC State Championship game. Also competed in track and field and was named the Most Improved Player. Bailey earned four first-place medals in the high jump and once took home the silver in high jump. During the 2020-21 season, Bailey used her prep year at Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, CT.
"Ciara is a very versatile player with length and speed," Richardson said. "She has the ability to rebound out of area and her timing will enable her to put up double digits off the boards."
Quinzia Fulmore
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.
High School: Dudley
Position: Forward
Accolades: Fulmore is coming off a dominant senior season at Dudley High School. She averaged 13.5 points, 7.5 boards and 2.1 steals per game. The forward also shot 56.7 percent from the field.
"Quinzia brings a game of strength and agility," Richardson said. "She can bang inside or get out and lead the break."
Chalon Miles
Hometown: California, Md.
High School: New Hope Academy
Position: Guard
Accolades: Miles averaged 12.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game during her senior year. She also registered 2.8 steals and 3.5 deflections per contest. Miles was one of two incoming freshmen to be nominated for the McDonald's All-American game.
"Chalon is a crafty point guard that can distribute as well as score," Richardson said. "Her floor vision is unmatched."
Mariah Wilson
Hometown: Lancaster, Pa.
High School: Lancaster Mennonite High School
Position: Guard
Accolades: Wilson is Lancaster Mennonite High School's all-time leading scorer with 1,830 points. She dominated her last year of high school ball, averaging 23.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Joining Miles, Wilson was also nominated for the McDonald's All-American game.
"Mariah is another excellent scorer that led her high school's league in scoring as a 'do everything' guard," Richardson said.
