TOWSON, Md. - The Towson men’s basketball team will play two of its final three games at home, starting with a matchup against Drexel on Saturday at 12 noon.

The game, which is being sponsored by PNC, can be heard live on the Towson Sports Network with Spiro Morekas and Vince Angotti callling the action.

Towson (15-13, 10-5 CAA) is coming off a 57-50 win at Hofstra on February 16. The Tigers have won five of their last six games and are currently tied with Delaware for second-place in the league standings.

Drexel (11-16, 7-8 CAA) will be playing its third game in six days on Saturday. The Dragons are coming off a tough 73-71 double overtime loss at Delaware on Thursday.

Sophomore guard Damion Lee leads the Dragons and ranks fourth in the CAA by averaging 17.1 points per game. Junior point guard Frantz Massenat averages 14.1 points and 4.3 assists per game.

Towson will be looking for its first season sweep of Drexel since the 2001-02 season. The Tigers won at Drexel on January 5 behind the 18-point, 16-rebound effort from junior forward Jerrelle Benimon.

The Tigers will be seeking their 16th win of the season, which would be their most since the 1995-96 season.

14 TIGERS NAMED TO CAA FOOTBALL ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

Arnold Farmer Honored For Third Straight Year

RICHMOND, Va. – Led by junior defensive tackle Arnold Farmer (Poly H.S./Baltimore, Md.), Towson University placed 14 student-athletes on the 2012 Colonial Athletic Association Football Academic All-Conference team.

An economics and accounting double major, Farmer started all 11 games for the Tigers and made 25 tackles. He also forced two fumbles, blocked a kick and had one sack. Farmer was also named to the CAA Football Academic All-Conference team in 2010 and 2011.

Freshman linebacker Bryton Barr (Mechanicsburg H.S./Camp Hill, Pa.), sophomore quarterback Joe Brennan (Camden Catholic H.S./Audubon, N.J.), freshman linebacker Riley Davis (River Hill H.S./Highland, Md.), junior place kicker Drew Evangelista (Cedar Grove H.S./Cedar Grove, N.J.), sophomore linebacker Greg Grant (Sherwood H.S./Olney, Md.), freshman fullback Emmanuel Holder (Calvert Hall H.S./Baltimore, Md.), sophomore tackle Jay Kenney (Malignon H.S./South Boston, Mass.), senior tight end Cory Kirby (Kent Island County H.S./Chester, Md.), junior cornerback Ryan Mays (Franklin H.S./Reisterstown, Md.) sophomore running back Clayton Minnott (Concord H.S./Wilmington, Md.), sophomore tackle Derek Pittman (Pallotti H.S./Lanham, Md.), sophomore wide receiver Mac Sanders (Providence Day School/Charlotte, N.C.) and junior linebacker Eric Schuster (Reservoir H.S./Laurel, Md.) joined Farmer as Towson representatives on the CAA Football Academic All-Conference squad.

“We are extremely proud of our young men who have committed themselves and have brought honor and distinction to Towson University,” says Towson Coach Rob Ambrose.  “Excellence in the classroom is critical to our overall success and these young men are leading the way.”

Last season, the Tigers were one of four teams that shared the Colonial Athletic Association championship. New Hampshire, Richmond, Villanova and the Tigers each posted 6-2 records in CAA action. For Towson, it was its second straight CAA championship. The Tigers, who played one of the toughest schedules in NCAA FCS football in 2012, finished the season with a 7-4 overall record and were ranked 17^th in the nation.

With 14 student-athletes named to the CAA Football Academic All-Conference, the Tigers were third in the CAA.

New Hampshire led all CAA football schools with 24 honorees. Georgia State had 16 players honored, followed by Towson (14). James Madison, Richmond and William & Mary each had 13 players honored. Rhode Island had 12 players honored, followed by Villanova (11), Old Dominion (10), Maine (8) and Delaware (7).

Towson’s 14 selections to the CAA Academic All-Conference team represent the highest single season total of Academic All-Conference honorees since the Tigers joined the CAA.  In each of the last three years, the Tigers had 12 players selected to the Academic All-Conference team.

Tigers’ CAA Academic All-Conference Selections

Name                              Pos.        Cl.       Hometown/High School                    Major

Bryton Barr                      LB           Fr.       Camp Hill, Pa./Mechanicsburg            Undeclared

Joe Brennan                     QB           So.      Audubon, N.J./Camden Catholic          Undeclared

Riley Davis                       LB           Fr.       Highland, Md./River Hill                     Undeclared

Drew Evangelista              PK           Jr.       Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove            Sport Management

Arnold Farmer                  DT           Jr.       Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Poly            Economics/Accounting

Greg Grant                       LB           So.      Olney, Md./Sherwood                          Mass Communication

Emmanuel Holder             FB           Fr.       Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall                Sport Management

Jay Kenney                      OT           So.      South Boston, Mass./Malignon             Comm. Studies

Cory Kirby                        TE            Sr.       Chester, Md./Kent Island County         Sociology

Ryan Mays                        CB           Jr.       Reisterstown, Md./Franklin                 Criminal Justice

Clayton Minnott                RB           So.      Wilmington, Del./Concord                   Exercise Science

Derek Pittman                 OT           So.      Lanham, Md./Pallotti                          History

Mac Sanders                     WR           So.      Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day           Undeclared

Eric Schuster                    LB           Jr.       Laurel, Md./Reservoir                         Business Administration

TOWSON SEEKS FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN TUESDAY AT JAMES MADISON
Game To Be Televised on Comcast SportsNet

HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Towson men’s basketball team will be seeking its longest winning streak since 2000 when the Tigers travel to James Madison on Tuesday night to take on the Dukes at 7 p.m.

The game can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet with John Castleberry and Charlie Woolum calling the action. Fans can also listen to the game on the Towson Sports Network with Spiro Morekas and Vince Angotti on the call.

Towson (14-12, 9-4 CAA) won its fourth straight game with a 90-82 overtime victory at Georgia State on Saturday.

Junior guard/forward Rafriel Guthrie came off the bench to score a career-high 23 points and dish out a career-best six assists in the win.

The Tigers have boasted two four-game winning streaks this year but haven’t owed a five-game streak since the 2000-01 season.

James Madison (14-12, 8-5 CAA) will be looking to avenge its worse loss ever to Towson, a 73-47 setback to the Tigers on January 19 in Maryland.

The Dukes have won five of seven since that loss and are currently fourth-place in the CAA standings, just a game behind the second-place Tigers.

Senior forward Rayshawn Goins leads the Dukes in both scoring (13.7 ppg) and rebounding (7.7 rpg), while senior guard Devon Moore leads the CAA by averaging 4.5 assists per game.

In the first meeting between the squads, Towson forward Jerrelle Benimon led five Tigers in double figures with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Towson outscored James Madison, 42-19, in the second half.

-TowsonTigers.com-

HAIRSTON GARNERS THIRD CAA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK AWARD

The Freshman Averaged 17.3 Points Per Game in Towson’s 3-0 Week

RICHMOND, Va. - Towson University freshman Jerome Hairston was named the Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Week, it was announced by the league on Monday. It marks the third time this season that the guard has garnered the weekly award.

Hairston averaged a team-high 17.3 points to lead Towson (14-12, 9-4 CAA) to a 3-0 week. The guard scored a career-high 18 points in an 81-68 victory over UNCW to start the week. He then posted 17 points, three assists and two steals in an 85-65 win over Delaware in a midweek game. Hairston concluded the week by making a career-high five three-pointers on just six attempts en route to scoring 17 points in a 90-82 overtime win at Georgia State.

For the week, Hairston shot 45 percent from the floor, 44 percent from three and 80 percent from the free throw line.
Hairston and the second-place Tigers are next in action on Tuesday at James Madison. The game, set to tip at 7 p.m., can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

Opening Face-Off
Towson men’s lacrosse opens the 2013 season at High Point. Last season the Tigers lost in the semifinals of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament, 10-3, to No. 1 UMass after finishing the regular season 7-7, 2-4 CAA.  Opening faceoff is set for 3 p.m. and all the action can be heard live on the Towson Sports Network on www.towsontigers.com with Spiro Morekas and Hunter Lochte calling the action.

Updating the Tigers
Towson Lacrosse finished 2012 with a 7-8 overall record, 2-4 in the CAA. The Tigers lost to No. 1 UMass, 10-3, in the semifinals of the CAA Tournament. Towson improved its record from 3-10 overall and 1-5 in league games in 2011. The Tigers return junior Thomas DeNapoli, who started all 15 games and scored 15 goals and posted 13 assists for 28 points. Senior Matt Hughes is also back for the Tigers. He played in all 15 games, scoring 14 goals and tallying 10 assists for 24 points. Senior Andrew Wascavage is returns in goal for Towson. He started 13 games last year, posting a 9.57 goals-against-average and making 159 saves.

Scouting the Panthers
High Point men’s lacrosse came up short in its program opener against Delaware on Feb. 2 at home. The Panthers outscored Delaware in the fourth quarter, but fell to the Blue Hens, 12-10. Freshman Dan Lomas led High Point with five goals, and sophomore Matt Thistle had a team-high three assists. Redshirt sophomore goalie Austin Geisler made 14 saves in the loss.

Towson-High Point Series History
This is the first-ever meeting between the teams.

TOWSON HOSTS RIVAL DELAWARE ON WEDNESDAY SEEKING THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
The Game Can Be Seen Live on Comcast SportsNet

TOWSON, MD. - The Towson men’s basketball team will look to complete a season sweep of second-place Delaware on Wednesday as the Tigers host the Blue Hens in a game that can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

Al Koken and Ron Thompson will be calling the action for CSN.

Towson (12-12, 7-4 CAA) is off to its best start ever in the CAA and best start overall since the 2006-07 season.

The Tigers are coming off an 81-68 win over UNC Wilmington on Monday night. The 81-point effort was the second best scoring performance by Towson this season.

Junior forward Jerrelle Benimon led four Tigers in double figures with 20 points to go along with 12 rebounds for his NCAA-leading 16th double-double. Freshman Jerome Hairston scored a season-high 18 points and junior Rafriel Guthrie chipped in 14 points off the bench.

Delaware (11, 6-3 CAA) currently sits in second-place in the CAA, just percentage points ahead of third-place Towson. The Blue Hens have won three straight games, including a 71-56 home win over UNC Wilmington on Saturday.

Junior guard Devon Saddler leads the team and ranks first in the CAA by averaging 19.3 points per game. Senior forward Jamelle Hagins is averaging a double-double this season with 12.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Wednesday will be the 70th all-time meeting between Towson and Delaware. The Tigers have only played Loyola (71) more often in their history.

TOWSON HOSTS UNC WILMINGTON ON “AUTISM AWARENESS NIGHT” MONDAY
Tigers Seek Third Straight Win Over the Seahawks

TOWSON, MD. - The Towson men’s basketball team will be seeking a season sweep of UNC Wilmington on Monday as the Tigers host the Seahawks at the Towson Center at 7 p.m.

The game is part of “Autism Awareness Night” at the Towson Center. Autism groups including Itineris, Pathfinders, Autism Speaks, Kennedy Krieger, and the Hussman Center will be in attendance to provide information to fans in attendance at the game.

Members of the Towson men’s basketball team and coaching staff will be wearing special royal blue (the color of Autism Speaks) shoes provided by Under Armour.

Towson (11-12, 6-4 CAA) picked up their lone win of the year last season at home against UNCW. The Tigers also topped the Seahawks earlier this season in Wilmington, N.C.

Towson is coming off a 68-66 win at Old Dominion Wednesday night in Norfolk. Junior forward Jerrelle Benimon posted 21 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks in the victory. Benimon is one of only three players in the nation to have three games this season with 20 or more points and 15 or more rebounds.

UNC Wilmington (8-13, 3-6 CAA) has dropped three of its last four games, including a 71-56 loss at Delaware on Saturday. The Seahawks are just 1-11 away from home this season.

Monday’s game can be heard live on the Towson Sports Network with Spiro Morekas and Vince Angotti calling the action.

RICHMOND, Va. - Junior defenseman John Fennessy of Towson University has been selected to the Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) men’s lacrosse team CAA officials announced today.

The Yorktown Heights, N.Y. native was one of four defensemen chosen for the team by a vote of the league’s head coaches. Towson men’s lacrosse was picked to finish sixth with 15 points.

Fennessy, a second-team All-CAA honoree in 2012, helped the Tigers’ defense with 18 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers during his sophomore season.

Towson opens its season on February 8 at 3 p.m. at High Point.

TOWSON TRAVELS TO RIVAL DELAWARE ON WEDNESDAY SEEKING FOURTH STRAIGHT ROAD WIN
Tigers Hoping To Halt Delaware’s Five-Game Win Streak

NEWARK, Del. - After having its four-game win streak snapped on Saturday, the Towson men’s basketball team will look to get back on track as the Tigers travel to rival Delaware on Wednesday night.

The game, set to tip at 7 p.m., can be heard live on the Towson Sports Network with Spiro Morekas and Vince Angotti calling the action.

Towson (8-9, 3-1 CAA) and Delaware (8-8, 3-0 CAA) will be meeting for the 69th time on Wednesday. The Tigers have only played Loyola (71) more often in their history.

Towson is coming off a 70-59 loss at home to CAA-leading Northeastern on Saturday. Junior Jerrelle Benimon posted his NCAA-leading 11th double-double in the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

After averaging 12.5 points and 3.0 assists per game last week, Tiger freshman Jerome Hairston was honored as the CAA Rookie of the Week on Monday. It was the second time this season that Hairston has garnered the weekly award.

Delaware is riding a season-high five game win streak and is one of only two undefeated teams in the CAA. The Blue Hens have won 10 consecutive CAA regular season games dating back to last season.

UD is led by high-scoring guard Devon Saddler and Jamelle Hagins, one of the top big men in the CAA. Saddler leads the league in scoring at 20.6 points per game and Hagins leads the country in rebounding with 11.9 boards a game.

Towson will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak to Delaware, including three losses last season.

HAIRSTON NAMED COLONIAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Freshman Guard Collects Second Weekly CAA Award

RICHMOND, Va. - Towson University freshman Jerome Hairston was named the Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Week, it was announced by the league on Monday. It marks the second time this season that the guard has garnered the weekly award.

Hairston averaged 12.5 points and 3.0 assists in Towson’s 1-1 week. He had 13 points and four assists in Towson’s 99-86 double-overtime win over William & Mary. The rookie scored the Tigers’ first five points in the second overtime.

Hairston then followed that up with 12 points in a 70-59 setback to CAA-leading Northeastern on Saturday. It marked the third straight game in which Hairston scored in double figures.

For the week, Hairston shot 9-for-16 (56.3%) from the floor, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.

Hairston and the Tigers travel to Newark, Del. on Wednesday to take on Blue Hens, who are off to a 3-0 start in CAA play. Tip time from the Bob Carpenter Center is set for 7 p.m.