PAT SKERRY NAMED FINALIST FOR 2013 HUGH DURHAM AWARD
Skerry is Among 21 Finalists for the Award Given to the Nation’s Top Mid-Major Coach

BOSTON, Mass. – Towson head men’s basketball coach Pat Skerry is among 21 finalists for the 2013 Hugh Durham award, given annually to the nation’s top mid-major coach.

The award is named in honor of Hugh Durham, who is one of just 12 coaches to have led two different programs to the NCAA Final Four (Florida State in 1972 and Georgia in 1983). He is the only coach among that group to have led both schools to their lone Final Four appearance.

Other finalists include: Jim Baron (Canisius), Rick Byrd (Belmont), Bill Coen (Northeastern), Keith Dambrot (Akron), Kermit Davis (Middle Tennessee), Billy Donlon (Wright State), Andy Enfield (Florida Gulf Coast), Anthony Evans (Norfolk State), Chris Holtmann (Gardner-Webb), Danny Kaspar (Stephen F. Austin), Matt Matheny (Elon), Joe Mihalich (Niagara), Jim Molinari (Western Illinois), LeVelle Moton (North Carolina Central), Steve Pikiell (Stony Brook), Joe Scott (Denver), Zach Spiker (Army), Wayne Tinkle (Montana), Tod Kowalczyk (Toledo) and Michael White (Louisiana Tech).

“This is as good of a list of candidates that we have had,” said Durham. “It will be difficult to select one winner from this group.”

Skerry, the 2013 CAA Coach of the Year, guided Towson to the biggest turnaround in NCAA Division I history this year. After going just 1-31 during Skerry’s inaugural campaign in 2011-12, the Tigers posted an 18-13 mark this season, which was the most victories by a Towson squad since 1993-94. Towson’s 13-5 record in CAA play and second-place finish in the league standings were the best ever marks for the Tigers since joining the league in 2001.

Towson won 12 of its 18 games away from home, which was the program’s highest total since 1976-77. The Tigers closed the season with eight victories in their final nine contests.

The 2013 award will be presented at the CollegeInsider.com awards banquet in Atlanta, site of the men’s NCAA Basketball Championship.

-TowsonTigers.com-

JERRELLE BENIMON & PAT SKERRY TAKE TOP HONORS AT ANNUAL CAA AWARDS BANQUET
Tigers Take Home CAA Player and Coach of the Year Honors

RICHMOND, Va. – Towson junior forward Jerrelle Benimon was selected as the Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball Player of the Year in voting by the league’s head coaches, media relations directors and members of the media. The announcement was made Friday night at the league’s pre-tournament awards banquet in Richmond, Va.

Also receiving top honors were Towson’s Pat Skerry as the CAA Coach of the Year, Georgia State freshman guard R.J. Hunter as the CAA Rookie of the Year and Delaware senior forward Jamelle Hagins as the CAA Defensive Player of the Year. Northeastern senior guard Jonathan Lee was the recipient of the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award.

Benimon is the first Towson player to earn CAA Player of the Year honors. The junior forward recorded double-doubles in 20 of the Tigers’ 31 contests, which is currently tied with UNCW’s Keith Rendleman for the most in Division I. He was the league’s fourth-leading scorer with 17.1 points per game and reached double figures in 27 of 31 outings.

Benimon led the CAA and ranked third in the nation with 11.2 rebounds per game and his 346 rebounds set a Towson single-season record and were the sixth-most in a season in CAA history. Showing his all-around game, Benimon was also third in the conference in blocked shots (1.9 bpg) and fourth in field goal percentage (53.3%) and his 79 assists were the most of any Towson player.

Skerry guided Towson to the biggest turnaround in NCAA Division I history this year. After going just 1-31 during Skerry’s inaugural campaign in 2011-12, the Tigers posted an 18-13 mark this season, which was the most victories by a Towson squad since 1993-94. Their 13-5 record in CAA play and second-place finish in the league standings were also the best ever.

Towson won 12 of its 18 games away from home (9 away/3 neutral), which was the program’s highest total since 1976-77. The Tigers closed the season with eight victories in their final nine contests.

Benimon was also named to the All-CAA first team and the CAA All-Defensive Team.

Joining Benimon on the All-CAA first team were Hunter, Rendleman, Delaware junior guard Devon Saddler, and Northeastern senior guard Joel Smith.

Joining Benimon on the CAA All-Defensive Team were Hagins, Rendleman, Hofstra senior guard Stevie Mejiaand Georgia State senior center James Vincent.

Towson was also represented on the CAA All-Rookie team as Tiger freshman Jerome Hairston joined Hunter, James Madison guard Andre Nation, Old Dominion guard Keenan Palmore and Northeastern guard David Walker to make up the squad.

Hairston, who was the only other vote getter aside from Hunter for the CAA Rookie of the Year award, ranked second among freshmen in the league in scoring at 9.9 points per game. He led the Tigers in steals (35) and was second on the team in both assists (77) and three-point field goals (38).

Two Tigers were also recognized for their work in the classroom. Sophomore guard Kris Walden was named to the CAA All-Academic Second Team and graduate student Bryan Blackstone was chosen CAA All-Academic Honorable Mention.

2012-13 CAA Player of the Year - Jerrelle Benimon, Towson
2012-13 CAA Coach of the Year - Pat Skerry, Towson
2012-13 CAA Rookie of the Year - R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
2012-13 CAA Defensive Player of the Year - Jamelle Hagins, Delaware
2012-13 CAA Dean Ehlers Leadership Award - Jonathan Lee, Northeastern

First Team All-CAA
Jerrelle Benimon, Towson
R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
Keith Rendleman, UNCW
Devon Saddler, Delaware
Joel Smith, Northeastern

Second Team All-CAA
Jamelle Hagins, Delaware
Damion Lee, Drexel
Frantz Massenat, Drexel
Marcus Thornton, William & Mary
Sherrod Wright, George Mason

Third Team All-CAA
Quincy Ford, Northeastern
Rayshawn Goins, James Madison
Jonathan Lee, Northeastern
Devon Moore, James Madison
Tim Rusthoven, William & Mary
Jarvis Threatt, Delaware

CAA All-Rookie Team
Jerome Hairston, Towson
R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
Andre Nation, James Madison
Keenan Palmore, Old Dominion
David Walker, Northeastern

CAA All-Defensive Team
Jerrelle Benimon, Towson
Jamelle Hagins, Delaware
Stevie Mejia, Hofstra
Keith Rendleman, UNCW
James Vincent, Georgia State

CAA All-Academic First Team
Kyle Anderson, Delaware
Kyle Gaillard, William & Mary
Donte Hill, Old Dominion
Shane Reybold, UNCW
Tim Rushoven, William & Mary

CAA All-Academic Second Team
Brandon Britt, William & Mary
Daquan Brown, Hofstra
Jonathan Lee, Northeastern
Tanner Milson, UNCW
Kris Walden, Towson

CAA All-Academic Honorable Mention
Bryan Blackstone, Towson
Brett Goodloe, William & Mary
Fred Heldring, William & Mary
Doug Howard, William & Mary
Anton Larsen, Old Dominion
Stevan Manojlovic, Drexel
Andrew Pavloff, William & Mary
Tom Schalk, William & Mary
Will Townsville, Delaware

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.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The Towson men’s basketball team will play its third straight road game on Saturday as the Tigers travel to Hofstra to battle the Pride at 4 p.m.

The game can be heard live on the Towson Sports Network with Damon Lewis and Vince Angotti calling the action.

Towson (14-13, 9-5 CAA), which had its four-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday at James Madison, currently sits in third-place in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) standings.

Since the start of CAA play, the Tigers lead the league in scoring at 73.9 points per game. They’ve also been strong on the defensive side, pacing the conference in rebounding margin (+6.4) and blocked shots per game (5.8).

Towson junior Marcus Damas has scored in double figures in six straight games, including a game-high 19 points at James Madison on Tuesday. Graduate student Bilal Dixon has recorded consecutive double-double performances and is averaging 10.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in his last three games.

Hofstra has dropped eight of its last nine games and enters Saturday with a 6-19 overall record and a 3-9 mark in CAA games.

The Pride are led by sophomore guard Taran Buie, who averages 13.5 points per game. Junior forward Stephen Nwaukoni paces the team in rebounding at 7.9 boards per game.

Hofstra is 5-6 at home this season with wins over Marshall, Georgia State and William & Mary.

Towson has dropped seven straight to the Pride and have not won at Hofstra since Feb. 25, 2002.

The Tigers will be seeking their 11^th win away from home on Saturday, a total they haven’t reached in a single season since winning 13 under Angotti during the 1976-77 season.

-TowsonTigers.com-

TOWSON TRAVELS TO OLD DOMINION ON WEDNESDAY
Tigers Seeking Ninth Road Win of the Season

NORFOLK, Va. - The Towson men’s basketball team will look to get back on track after three straight losses as the Tigers take on Old Dominion at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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

After winning six of seven games, Towson (10-12, 5-4 CAA) has dropped three straight, including a 63-56 loss at William & Mary on Saturday.

Despite the recent slide, Towson is still 3-1 in road CAA games this year and will be attempting to win its ninth game away from home on Saturday, its most since the 1995-96 season.

The Tigers are one of only two teams to rank in the Top 5 in the CAA in both scoring offense (65.9 ppg) and scoring defense (65.6 ppg).

Junior forward Jerrelle Benimon ranks first nationally in double-doubles (14) and third in rebounding (11.5 rpg). Benimon, along with juniors Marcus Damas and Mike Burwell and freshman Jerome Hairston are all averaging double figures since the start of CAA play.

Old Dominion, which has won two of the last three CAA Tournaments, is struggling this season. The Monarchs enter Saturday’s game with a 2-17 overall mark and are winless in seven conference games.

ODU, which is just 1-10 at home this season, is led by senior DeShawn Painter. The center leads the Monarchs in both scoring (11.2 ppg) and rebounding (7.9 rpg).

Towson and Old Dominion are the two best rebounding teams in the conference. The Tigers rank first in both rebounding offense (39.2 rpg) and rebounding margin (+4.9), while the Monarchs are second in both rebounding offense (37.5 rpg) and rebounding margin (+4.3).

TOWSON HOSTS JAMES MADISON ON SATURDAY AT NOON
Tigers Seeking Sixth Win in last Seven Games

TOWSON, Md. - Winners of five of its last six games, Towson returns home on Saturday afternoon to take on the James Madison Dukes at 12 noon.

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

The Tigers (9-9, 4-1 CAA) will be looking to improve their record to above .500 this late in the season for the first time since they started the 1999-2000 campaign with a 10-9 mark.

Towson is coming off its fourth straight road win on Wednesday night at Delaware. Junior forward Jerrelle Benimon led four Tigers in double figures with 19 points to go along with 13 rebounds and a career-high tying five assists.

Benimon, who is tied for the NCAA-lead in double-doubles with 12, has posted a double-double in four straight games. The last Tiger to do it in five straight games was Brian “Gumby” Matthews in 1977.

James Madison has won two of its last three games and enters Saturday with a 9-9 overall record and a 3-2 mark in CAA play. Rayshawn Goins paces the Dukes by averaging 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Towson has dropped four straight in the series against James Madison, including a pair of matchups at home.

Saturday’s game will be the first of three straight at home for the Tigers, who also host Georgia State on Monday and George Mason on Wednesday. Both games are scheduled to tip at 7 p.m. with the contest against the Patriots to air live on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN).

Towson Men’s and Women’s Basketball to Open Tiger Arena with Doubleheader Against Navy
The Inaugural Games in Tiger Arena Will Take Place on November 8

TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University men’s and women’s basketball teams will open Tiger Arena with a doubleheader against the United States Naval Academy on Nov. 8, 2013, it was announced by Director of Athletics Mike Waddell today.

“Opening our new arena with a doubleheader against the United States Naval Academy will be a great night for Towson University and college basketball in Baltimore and the State of Maryland,” said Waddell. “To have 5,200 plus fans on our campus experiencing all that our game atmosphere will be in the newest arena on the East Coast will be a happening that will launch a new era in Tiger Basketball. This venue will be a showplace for the Black and Gold and also for other basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and community events year round.”

Tip times for both games are still to be determined along with the rest of the Tiger men’s and women’s basketball schedules, in the fall.

“We’re excited to welcome the Naval Academy for the first basketball games to be played inside Tiger Arena,” said Towson men’s basketball head coach Pat Skerry. “Navy is a quality opponent and we are happy to be playing a team from the state of Maryland in our first game. The atmosphere should be electric as our fans will have their first chance to step in to the nicest arena in the Mid-Atlantic.”

“What a tremendous way to begin a new era of Towson basketball,” said Towson women’s basketball head coach Joe Mathews. “I cannot think of a more exciting and relevant way to open Tiger Arena. The opportunity to celebrate by watching a doubleheader featuring both women’s and men’s programs as we take a major step to the future is significant, but to add the United States Naval Academy as the opponent turns it into major event. This is a great way to launch a new beginning as well as way to pay tribute to and thank the military across the world that provide us the freedoms such as this event to enjoy.“

Tiger Arena is a state-of-the-art, high-tech venue that will also serve as the home for Towson gymnastics and volleyball. The venue will feature approximately four premium mezzanine level private suites, approximately 340 premium loge club seats around the top of the lower bowl, and 120 courtside seats.

Additional amenities include a 1500 sq. ft. hospitality room, and a 680 sq. ft. multipurpose room on the mezzanine on the concourse level.  A new state of the art multimedia studio will also be constructed that will be the nerve center of all TIGERVISION operations for both the Arena and Johnny Unitas® Stadium.

“This event begins it all in style on college basketball’s “first night” and will bookend when both Towson teams play their 2014 CAA Tournaments in Maryland,” said Waddell. “The state will be the host of both CAA post-season tournaments, with the women at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro and the men at the first-ever CAA Tournament downtown at First Mariner Arena in March of 2014.”

TOWSON HOSTS LOCAL RIVAL COPPIN STATE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT
The Tigers Have Won Four of the Past Five Meetings With the Eagles

TOWSON, Md. - The Towson men’s basketball team will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak on Wednesday as the Tigers host local rival Coppin State. The game will be part of a doubleheader with the Tigers women’s basketball team and is scheduled to tip at 7:30 p.m.

Mariner Finance is Wednesday’s game sponsor and the first 1,000 fans in the arena will receive lanyards.

The Tigers (4-7), who will be playing just their second home game of the season, are coming off a 65-48 setback to North Dakota State on Saturday. Junior Mike Burwell posted his sixth double-digit scoring game of the season with a team-high 14 points. The guard hit four of his nine three-point field goal attempts and leads Towson with 18 triples on the year.

Graduate student Bilal Dixon registered six points and grabbed a season-high tying 11 rebounds against the Bison. The Tigers committed a season-low six turnovers in the loss.

Coppin State has lost five of its last six games and enters tonight with a 2-9 overall record. The Eagles are led by Michael Murray, who is averaging a double-double with 13.4 points and 10.8 rebounds this season. Coppin State has faced some tough competition this season, losing to USC, Texas, Saint Joseph’s and No. 2 Indiana. The Eagles last win came at UMBC (80-61) on December 12.

Towson leads the series history against Coppin State, 6-4. Although the Eagles won last year’s meeting, the Tigers have won four of the last five battles. Coppin State has not won at Towson since Dec. 12, 1992.

Towson Men’s Basketball Announces 2013-14 Recruiting Class
Tigers Ink Three Standouts During Early Signing Period

TOWSON, Md. – Towson University head men’s basketball coach Pat Skerry announced Wednesday that forward John Davis, power forward/center Walter Foster and small forward Shamiek Sheppard have signed national letters of intent to attend Towson University and compete for the Tigers.

“I’m extremely excited about this class and the caliber of kids that we signed,” Skerry said. “All three have great length for their positions and will give us a tremendous amount of flexibility. We like that they are high-character guys that give tremendous effort both on the court and in the classroom. Assistant Coach Luke Murray did an outstanding job of tracking these guys early on and he’s to be commended.”

JOHN DAVIS
Forward, 6-5, 215
Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School/Philadelphia, Pa.

Davis is an athletic wing that has proven to be a tenacious defender and rebounder. The skilled left-hander has earned consecutive first team All-Catholic League selections while playing for head coach Carl Arrigale and assistant coach John Mosco at high school powerhouse Ss. Neumann-Goretti in Philadelphia. As a co-captain of the team, Davis led the Saints to a 28-3 mark last season while averaging 12.9 points and nearly 11 rebounds per game. He failed to score in double digits just twice last season as a junior and he averaged 15.8 points per game in five state tournament contests. A proven winner, Davis and the Saints have claimed the Catholic League and City titles in each of his three seasons while also winning three consecutive PIAA Class AAA state championships.

According to ESPN’s recruiting service, Davis is “especially dangerous along the baseline but can also make straight line power drives from the perimeter or play with his back to the basket with good instincts and effectiveness. He’s got a knack for putting the ball in the basket and inside of 15-feet there aren’t a whole lot of guys who do that more consistently. He’s a scrappy player, able to defend bigger players inside, and he’s active rebounding the ball on both ends.”

Additionally, Davis earned MVP honors this past May at the Wayne Ellington All-City Basketball Classic in Philadelphia. Davis played AAU basketball for Team Final, coached by Rob Brown.

Skerry on Davis: “John Davis is a guy that our staff has recruited since we got here. He’s a left-handed forward who we expect to transition to the wing pretty quickly. He’s part of a big-time high school program in Philadelphia. John’s a winner who is tough and knows how to play the game. He’s a high-character kid that can play physical and has also shown that he’s a terrific passer.”

WALTER FOSTER
Forward/Center, 6-8, 230
Fishburne Military Academy (Va.)/Atlanta, Ga.

Foster is spending a post-graduate year at Fishburne Military Academy in Waynesboro, Va. after starring for Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Ga. He is a physical forward/center who is known for his rebounding, but can also score both inside and out. A 2011-12 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAA first team All-State selection, Foster averaged 18.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game as a senior, guiding Booker T. Washington and head coach Ed Huckaby to a 17-9 record.

Fishburne is ranked as the No. 3 prep-school team in the United States and Foster is one of nine players on the 2012-13 roster who is signing with a Division I school this fall.

Skerry on Foster: “Walter Foster is a guy that we jumped on this fall and we are extremely excited about him. He’s 6-8 but with a 7-1 reach. He’s well coached and can play both front court positions. His frame can fill up and he’s got a really high ceiling. He will give us a lot of depth and versatility up front.”

SHAMIEK SHEPPARD
Forward, 6-5, 210
South Shore High School/Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sheppard is a three-star prospect that was ranked as the ninth best player coming out of the state of New York according to Rivals.com. He’s been a starter since his freshman season at South Shore High School. As a junior in 2011-12, he averaged 12.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He’s averaged double digits in points all three years. Sheppard is tremendous in the open floor and excels when finishing around the basket.

According to ESPN’s recruiting services, Sheppard is an “incredible athlete with the big time bounce to play above the rim like few others can. He has a great motor, strong body and aggressive demeanor on the court. He goes hard to the rim, isn’t bothered by contact, and will also take smaller defenders to the post and overpower them. He gets out and runs his lanes hard in transition and is an exceptional finisher. His physical tools and toughness also make him a valuable on the ball defender.”

Skerry on Sheppard: “Shamiek Sheppard will be our most athletic perimeter player next year. He’s a strong, powerful athlete who plays really hard and guards at a high level. Shamiek is a perimeter guy who can really get off the floor. He can run and jump with anybody in our league. He’s got a lot of physical tools that we’re excited about.”

TOWSON MEN’S BASKETBALL TRAVELS TO COMFORT SUITES INVITATIONAL
Tigers to Play Four Games in Four Days at Eastern Kentucky University

TOWSON, Md. - The Towson University men’s basketball team is set to travel to Richmond, Ky. to participate in the 2012 Comfort Suites Invitational, hosted by Eastern Kentucky University.

The Tigers (0-1) will play four games in four days starting with a matchup against Radford on Friday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m.

Towson will also play Eastern Kentucky (11/17), Kennesaw State (11/18) and Cincinnati Christian (11/19).

The Tigers, which dropped their regular season opener on November 9 at the College of Charleston, are coming off a 72-64 exhibition win over Goldey-Beacom College on Monday.

Junior Mike Burwell led the four Tigers in double figures with 16 points on seven of nine shooting.

Radford enters the tournament at 1-1 after a loss at Wake Forest and an overtime victory at home against Cincinnati Christian. Sophomore guard R.J. Price leads the Highlanders with an average of 16.0 points per game.

Eastern Kentucky sits at 1-0 after beating Cincinnati Christian, 89-56, in the first game of the Comfort Suites Invitational last Friday. Newcomer Glenn Cosey had a game-high 20 points in his EKU debut.

Kennesaw State is 1-1 on the year. The Owls lost by nine points at Tennessee in their season-opener and beat South Carolina State, 67-65, on the road. Sophomore guard Delbert Love leads the team in scoring at 16 points per game. Aaron Anderson, a 6-foot-7 forward, is averaging 14.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Anderson, who posted 16 points and 12 rebounds against Tennessee, has made 12-of-17 attempts from the fi eld (70.6 percent).

Cincinnati Christian is a NAIA school that plays in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC). The Eagles are winless on the season (0-2) but took Radford into overtime before falling 76-71.

2012 Comfort Suites Invitational Schedule

Friday: Kennesaw State at EKU, 6 p.m. — Radford vs. Towson, 8 p.m.

Saturday: Towson at EKU, 6 p.m. — Kennesaw State vs. Radford, 8 p.m.
Sunday: Radford at EKU, 5 p.m. — Towson vs. Kennesaw State, 7 p.m.
Monday: Cincinnati Christian vs. Towson, 1 p.m.

-TowsonTigers.com-