TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University women's basketball team hosted Campbell on Friday afternoon to open the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) slate.
 
Towson (8-5, 1-0 CAA) and Campbell (7-7, 0-1 CAA) opened the game at a slow pace as the Camels took a 12-10 lead into the first quarter break. India Johnston scored the Tigers' first 11 points in the second quarter, giving Towson a 30-26 halftime lead. In a tight second half, the Black & Gold went 7-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to secure the 57-54 win to begin conference play.
 
Key Stats

• The Towson bench outscored Campbell's 29-3 in the game. India Johnston led all scorers with 19 points off the bench.
• The Tigers were 15-21 from the free throw line while holding the Camels to nine makes on 12 free throw attempts.
• Campbell had 16 turnovers to Towson's 12.

 
How it Happened

• The game started 4-4 on the first four possessions before two Campbell makes gave the Camels an 8-4 lead with 5:31 remaining in the quarter.
• Semaya Turner hit a jumper in the closing seconds of the period to pull within two at 12-10.
• India Johnston came out of the second quarter on fire, hitting the Tigers first 11 points of the period. Her fourth make of the quarter gave Towson a 21-14 lead with 7:32 left in the half.
• Tilda Sjökvist extended the lead to nine before back-to-back Campbell makes pulled them back within four.
• Shariah Baynes hit a triple with 1:06 remaining in the half to push the lead back to nine at 30-21.
• The Camels hit two shots in the closing minute to cut the deficit to four at the halftime break.
• Campbell cut the deficit to two three different times in the third quarter, but Johnston's made jumper with 31 seconds remaining in the quarter pushed the lead back to five at 40-35.
• The Camels retook the lead at 43-42 with 6:39 left in the game, their first lead since 9:05 remaining in the second quarter.
• Zoli Khalil, Kayla Morris and Viki Matulevicius each hit a shot to reclaim the lead at 48-43 with 4:15 to go.
• Down five with 33 seconds to go, Campbell's Nivar hit a layup in the paint to make it a one-possession game again.
• Matulevicius (1-2), Shepard (4-4) and Turner (2-2) hit free throws in the final minute to hold on for the 57-54 CAA opening win.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Johnston scored 19 points off the bench; her third highest point total this season.
• Turner posted a Towson career-high 11 rebounds.
• Morris maintained her block per game averaged with 3 blocks on the day.

 
Next Game
The Tigers' first CAA road test brings them to Hempstead, N.Y. to face Hofstra on Friday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m.