Towson, Md. — The Towson University women's basketball team is set to get back on the court to begin Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play as they welcome Elon to SECU Arena on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m.
The Tigers (9-1, 0-0) have won their last six contests while the Phoenix (8-2, 0-0) have come out on top in their last three.
Elon owns the 9-3 all-time edge over Towson. The two teams did not meet in the 2020-21 season, as both games were postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Fan Attendance Policy
Effective immediately for Towson University home contests:
- Contests will be open at 50% capacity. Flexible seating is recommended for games; contact the Towson ticket office at 410-704-3330 for more information.
- Masks will be required for all attendees regardless of vaccination status. Masks must be worn at all times inside Towson University buildings and cover the nose and mouth.
- Concessions will not be available at Towson games; outside food or drink may not be brought into Towson athletic venues.
Towson University continues to monitor the ongoing situation along with university, county and state officials. These new procedures are enacted in cooperation with the Towson University medical advisory committee and the University System of Maryland.
Comin' In Hot
With six consecutive victories, the Tigers improve to 9-1 on the 2021-22 season. The hot start is the best since the 2006-07 campaign when the team came out to a 10-1 mark. That season, Towson earned five consecutive wins before dropping a contest to Wake Forest. The team then went onto win five more games before falling to James Madison.
Last Time Out
Four Tigers reached double-digit scoring as Towson defeated American, 79-61, on Dec. 11.
Allie Kubek paced the team with 18 points while Anissa Rivera dropped a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double. Aleah Nelson (12) and Skye Williams (11) also ended in double figures.
The effort marked the ninth time this season that at least three players have cracked double digits. Nelson and Kubek have now also scored 10 or more points in nine of ten contests.
D-FENSE!
The black & gold have held four of its last six opponents to less than 30 percent shooting in a game. Towson kept UMass Lowell (29.3 percent, 17-of-58), Millersville (19.1 percent, 9-of-47), Howard (25.4 percent, 18-of-7) and East Carolina (25.3 percent, 19-of-75) all below the mark.
The team has also held its opponents to less than 10 points in a quarter seven times this season.
First Half Team
When leading at the half, the Tigers own a 9-0 record. The team has led by 20+ points at the half twice this season, against both Millersville (24) and Howard (23). In both games, Towson scored over 40 points through the first two quarters.
Making Some Noise
Towson has moved up to No. 18 in the latest CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll, released Jan. 4. The team had previously spent three weeks at No. 19.
Missouri State remains at the top of the standings with a 10-2 record while BYU (10-1), FGCU (11-1), California Baptist (10-2) and Gonzaga (9-3) complete the top-5.
The Tigers are the lone CAA team represented in the poll, as Drexel and James Madison are just receiving votes.
Coming Home
Five of 14 student-athletes on Towson's roster represent their home state of Maryland. Aleah Nelson is the lone Baltimore native while Allie Kubek (Elkton), Ryan Evans (Columbia), Rayne Tucker (New Carrollton) and Anissa Rivera (Capitol Heights) are also from close by.
In The Rankings
With most of the nonconference schedule behind the team, Towson continues to be well represented in the NCAA rankings, sitting top-20 in six categories while leading the CAA in 10. The Tigers are still among the best rebounding teams in the country, ranked 11th in rebounds per game (45.70), and 8th in offensive boards per game (16.5). The team also sits at seventh in field goal percentage defense (33.0) and 15th in scoring margin (20.8). The black & gold lead the conference in the four categories mentioned, as well.
Nelson continues to perform well, as she is ranked fifth in the nation and first in the league with 6.7 assists per game. Shooting 60 percent from the field, Kubek ranks 13th in the country.
Scouting The Phoenix
Elon finished its nonconference slate strong, with three consecutive wins over Davidson (65-51), UNC Greensboro (52-49) and Gardner-Webb (77-65). Earlier in the season, the Phoenix took on the two top-ranked teams in the country in No. 1 South Carolina and No. 2 NC State. The team fell to the Gamecocks, 79-38, and the Wolfpack, 78-46, to account for their only two losses.
In addition to both Towson and Elon facing NC State, both programs also faced Howard. The Phoenix came out with a 14-point victory (60-44) over the Bison while the Tigers emerged with a 44-point win (96-52).
Brie Perpignan leads the Elon offense, averaging 13.5 points per game. She also boasts a team-high 64 assists. Off the boards, Kayla Liles paces her squad, averaging 6.3 rebounds and amassing a team-high 23 steals.
Next Up
The Tigers will also host William & Mary at SECU Arena to continue CAA play on Jan. 9 for a 1 p.m. start. The Towson men's team will also welcome Northeastern the same day at 4:30 p.m.
Tigers in the Community
For the 7th consecutive year, the department exceeded 10,000 hours of community service to the Greater Baltimore region, finishing with 11,162 hours of community service in the 2018-19 academic season. Towson ranked #1 nationally for community service and won the 2018 National Championship for Community Service through the Helper Helper NCAA Team Works Competition. Towson had a 97% participation rate, attended 118 community service opportunities and volunteered with 19 organizations. The Tigers won the 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award from Susan G. Komen of Maryland.
