WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Towson men's basketball dropped a 51-43 decision at Monmouth to open Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play on Thursday night. Christian May was the lone Tiger in double figures with 12 points.

Towson (7-7, 0-1 CAA) held a lead with just under seven minutes to go in the game, but the Hawks put together a late run as there were 14 lead changes in the game.

Key Stats:

• May was the lone Tiger in double figures and added five rebounds.
• Charles Thompson had six points and team-high 12 rebounds, adding two blocks.

How It Happened:

• Both teams struggled from the floor early with Nendah Tarke hitting the lone three for the Tigers in the opening four minutes of the game.
• The Tigers would go scoreless over a nearly four-minute stretch before Messiah Jones ended the drought with a corner three.
• Towson would find their rhythm late in the half with getting out to a four-point lead after a pair of Tomiwa Sulaiman free throws.
• However, the Hawks would hold Towson scoreless over the last 2:32 to make it a 21-20 deficit for the Tigers at halftime.
• Towson outrebounded the Hawks 25-21 in the first half and assisted on four of seven made baskets.
• Monmouth would open a five-point lead after a 6-0 run early in the second half to force a Towson timeout.
• Towson started to heat up midway through the half. Christian May would hit a corner jumper then get a runout to put the Tigers back in front. After the Hawks scored, Charles Thompson hit a turnaround hook shot to put Towson back in front at the under eight timeout.
• Monmouth would take control of the game late putting together a 12-2 run over a six-minute span as the Tigers fell 51-43 on Thursday night.

Inside The Numbers:

• With his start today, Charles Thompson tied Timajh Parker-Rivera for most games played with 131 and moved into sole possession of sixth in starts with 97.
• Thompson collected 12 rebounds in the contest, his first double digit rebounding game this season since he had 16 against Bryant.

Next Game:

• Towson will have a quick turnaround, hosting UNCW on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. The game will air on Monumental Sports Network and FloHoops with Spiro Morekas and Jimmy Patsos on the call.