Liberty Edges Towson in Tiger Home Opener
 
TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University women's basketball team hosted Liberty in its home opener on Sunday afternoon at TU Arena. The Tigers roared back late but were unable to claim the lead from the Lady Flames to fall, 64-57.
 
India Johnston led all scorers with 17 points. She added six rebounds and three assists. Shariah Baynes matched her collegiate high with 12 points, adding three steals in the game.
 
Records:

• Towson (0-6)
• Liberty (3-2)

 
Key Stats

• Liberty had 22 points in the paint to Towson's 10.
• The Lady Flames held a 35.7% to 25.9% shooting percentage edge.
• Liberty was 7-22 from behind the arc to Towson's 4-19 mark.

 
How it Happened

• After an Anaiah Jenkins bucket to start the game, Liberty scored 14 unanswered points.
• The Tigers responded with six-straight points to cut the deficit to six.
• The Lady Flames scored the next four points before the Tigers closed the period with four-straight of their own.
• Liberty started the second quarter on a 13-4 run.
• Three Tiger free throws to close the quarter cut the deficit to 31-19.
• Towson opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run, cutting the deficit to five.
• A Semaya Turner free throw with 4:10 left in the quarter cut Towson's deficit to three at 35-32.
• The Lady Flames closed the quarter on a 10-0 run to push their lead back to 13 points.
• Towson came out of the fourth quarter hot on both sides of the ball, starting on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to five at 45-40.
• Down 53-48, a Johnston free throw and pair from Deja Bristol pulled the Tigers within two points at 53-51.
• After a Lady Flame layup, four free throws from Johnston and Aminata Diakite tied the game at 55 apiece.
• The Tigers were forced to foul, allowing Liberty to reclaim a nine-point lead on free throws.
• Johnston hit a fastbreak layup in the paint in the closing seconds for a 64-57 final.

 
Up Next
The Tigers embark on a trip to Puerto Rico to face UTSA and Youngstown State in the Puerto Rico Clásico on Friday and Saturday, respectively.