Winning is Everything

[randy]

Nov 23, 2001: Milwaukee (1-0) @ Towson (2-0)

Perimeter players SG HAven Wilkerson and SG Cain Ward carrying our offense early, combining for 11 of our 1st 13 pts. Up 13-6, 14:17. UWMIL's off rebounding and consistent outside shooting keeping this game close. UWMIL already in the penalty with more than 11 mins left. Up 30-24, 7:04. C Alex DeMond scored 10 (6 from FTs) of our last 16 pts, as we opened up a big lead towards the end of the 1st half. Halftime, Up 44-27.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• FG shooting: UWMIL 31%, TOW 65%
• We need to do a better job on def rebounding though, as UWMIL already grabbed 7 off rebs

Start of 2nd half

Our shots not falling, but we're doing a better job on the defensive glass, preventing any 2nd opportunities for UWMIL. Up 52-34, 12:21. UWMIL not making enough stops that would threaten our lead, and at the rate things are going, we are assured of this win. Up 60-40, 7:32.


Final Score: Milwaukee - 54, Towson - 76


Box Scores
[INDENT]DeMond 26, 13, 0 (*)
Ward 19, 3, 1, 2 stls
Wilkerson 14, 4, 4, 2 stls
Hale 7, 1, 1
Desmond 4, 2, 3
Green 2, 8, 1
Martin 2, 4, 5
Morton 2, 2, 0
Granger 0, 0, 3
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 53-34%
REB: +15
TO: -2
Pts in paint: +40
2nd chance: +8
Fast break: +10
[/INDENT]
Notes

• We lost 3-time Conf POY (and a 20-10 player) C Byron Hardy due to graduation, but C Alex DeMond has stepped up. In 3 games, DeMond is averaging 22 ppg and 10.3 rpg

[JMD]

Some season you've got going on, Randy.

[randy]

Nov 26, 2001: Towson (3-0) @ #23 Toledo (3-1)

We're finding it difficult to score, 3-16 FG (19%). Down 7-13, 11:01. Our primary wing players SG Haven Wilkerson and SG Cain Ward combining for just 2-14 FG. We're forcing some turn overs on TOL to keep this game reasonably close. Down 13-20, 6:38. TOL has hit enough outside shots to get themselves a good lead. Overall, not a bad defensive effort on our side; we just couldn't make shots. Halftime, Down 23-34.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• FG shooting: TOW 30%, TOL 42%

Start of 2nd half

3 consecutive turn overs to start the 2nd half sank us down to a 15 pt deficit earlier. It took a while, but we cut their lead down to 10. Down 35-45, 10:46. We made another basket, and we were within 8 pts. But TOL suddenly waxed hot from the outside, connecting on 4 successive 3pt shots. Down 42-59, 6:00. Things got even worse towards the end of the game, as we committed more turn overs, and letting TOL gets a lot of offensive rebounds.


Final Score: Towson - 50, Toledo - 70


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 18, 4, 1, 5 tos
Hale 12, 3, 0
DeMond 11, 7, 1
Green 4, 7, 1
Martin 2, 2, 4
Wilkerson 2, 2, 1
Desmond 1, 2, 0
Morton 0, 5, 1
Granger 0, 0, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 36-40%
REB: -8
TO: +1
Pts in paint: +10
2nd chance: -4
Fast break: -16
[/INDENT]
Notes

• As poorly as we have shot the ball today, the 11 turn overs we committed in the 2nd half not only lessened our opportunities to score, but also allowed TOL to get easy pts in transition.
• It also clear that someone else other than C Alex DeMond should provide inside scoring.

[randy]

Nov 30, 2001: Towson (3-1) @ Charleston (1-3)

Poor shooting start again, as we're currently at 23% FG. CHRL's starting PG already with 11 pts, with three 3pt shots converted. Down 6-13, 13:56. Our road shooting woes seem like it won't stop, until we hit 4 consecutive FGs. Up 21-20, 6:34. We cranked it up on defense, and score a few baskets, which were enough to maintain the lead at the end of the 1st half. Halftime, Up 33-27.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• Off rebounds: TOW 6, CHRL 0; it helped us gain +8 in FGA

Start of 2nd half

CHRL has added 4 more triples at the start of the 2nd half, to bring their total to 9. Up 46-41, 14:02. CHRL on a long scoring drought, and slowly built up a comfortable lead, but definitely not yet safe. Up 55-41, 9:16. CHRL got themselves into penalty. We just need t play smart in the last 5 mins of the game, to chalk up our 1st road win of the season. Up 60-43, 5:45. We limited CHRL to only 2 pts in almost a 14-minute span, until they hit two meaningless triples with less than a minute to go.


Final Score: Towson - 67, Charleston- 49


Box Scores
[INDENT]DeMond 21, 4, 1
Wilkerson 19, 9, 4, 2 stls (*)
Ward 13, 5, 4, 3 stls
Hale 5, 3, 0
Desmond 4, 3, 0
Green 3, 8, 1
Martin 2, 0, 3, 2 stls
Granger 0, 3, 2
Morton 0, 2, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 43-38%
REB: +17
TO: -7
Pts in paint: +26
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: Even
[/INDENT]
Notes

• CHRL took more than half of the shots from beyond the arc. We just waited for them to hit a cold spell, and then slowly built a big lead. It also helped that we limited CHRL to only 3 off rebounds and zero 2nd chance pts.
• We forced CHRL to commit 21 turn overs. Last season, we were worst in the nation in forcing turn overs (less than 10 per game). Very good sign

[randy]

Dec 3, 2001: Towson (4-1) @ Nebraska (2-2)

We're shooting well (7-9 FG), that is if we can put up a shot outside of our 5 turn overs. Up 14-11, 10:40. Percentage-wise, we have outshot NEB by a mile, but our turn over problems meant we had fewer FGAs. Halftime, Up 29-23.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• Turn overs: TOW 9, NEB 4; NEB is +7 in FGA
• We shot 54% FG, but ironically scored only 29 pts in the 1st half

Start of 2nd half

We started the 2nd half on a good note, scoring 7 unanswered before NEB can score. Our off rebounding is the big difference, with 7 already in the 2nd half so far (total of 9 in the game). SG Cain Ward starting to regain his shooting touch, while PF Bevon Green and C Herbert Desmond have contributed a lot of inside pts. Up 48-31, 11:37. NEB reduced to a 3 pt shooting team, as we continued to dominate the boards to get a comfortable road win.


Final Score: Towson - 75, Nebraska - 50


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilkerson 17, 4, 5, 6 tos (*)
DeMond 13, 10, 0
Ward 13, 5, 2
Green 12, 7, 1
Desmond 8, 3, 0
Hale 7, 1, 1
Granger 3, 3, 2
Morton 2, 4, 1
Martin 0, 7, 5
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 51-33%
REB: +26
TO: +4
Pts in paint: +24
2nd chance: +12
Fast break: +3
[/INDENT]
Notes

• We minimized our turn overs in the 2nd half, committing only 5. Together with our 14 off rebounds, we were able to offset advantage having more FGAs in the 1st half. The final winning margin is now more indicative of the advantage we had on FG%
• We got more balance in inside scoring in this game, not just relying solely on C Alex DeMond

[randy]

Dec 6, 2001: Towson (5-1) @ Campbell (2-4)

We're scoring mostly inside the paint, and that has padded our FG shooting to 73%. Up 24-9, 10:53. CAMP 7-16 3PT performance has kept them within striking distance. Halftime, Up 45-37.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• Pts in paint: TOW 34, CAMP 8
• Rebounds: TOW 19, CAMP 8
• We're not worried about CAMP's good outside shooting, as long as keep winning the battle on the boards, and contine to attack the paint for high-percentage shots

Start of 2nd half

Our perimeter defense improved in the 2nd half, allowing only 1-3 3PT shooting for CAMP. Up 56-45, 11:48. CAMP starting to make some progress; I reminded the players during the timeout that CAMP can easily shoot their way back to this game. Up 61-52, 7:34. CAMP's 3rd triple in the 2nd half (total of 10 for the game) cut our lead to 8. But we quickly answered back with a mini 6-2 run, to get the lead back to double digits. Up 69-57, 2:54. CAMP missed 6 of their last 7 FGAs, as we simply run the clock on our possessions.


Final Score: Towson - 74, Campbell - 60


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilkerson 22, 5, 5, 2 stls, 5 tos (*)
DeMond 13, 8, 0
Ward 10, 10, 4
Desmond 10, 0, 0
Green 8, 5, 4, 3 stls
Hale 6, 1, 1
Martin 5, 4, 5
Granger 0, 2, 3
Morton 0, 2, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 54-40%
REB: +13
TO: +1
Pts in paint: +38
2nd chance: +6
Fast break: +4
[/INDENT]
Notes

• We executed our offense really well today, not only shooting at a good clip from the field but also dishing 22 assists and committing only a reasonable 12 turn overs

[randy]

Dec 14, 2001: McNeese St (5-3) @ Towson (6-1)

Good defense at the start of the game, getting 3 steals, and limiting MCNST to 23% FG. Up 17-6, 11:33. We're attacking the basket at almost every opportunity, producing either scoring high-percentage shots (56% FG) or going to the FT line (9-10 FT). Up 30-12, 6:33. SG Haven Wilkerson and SG Cain Ward both with 13 pts; C Herbert Desmond 7 pts off the bench. Halftime, Up 44-20.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• FG shooting: MCNST 26%, TOW 53%
• Turnovers: MCNST 6, TOW 1

Start of 2nd half

MCNST's offensive rebounding helped them trim their deficit to 17, but our outside shooting brought back to lead to where it was at the start of the 2nd half. Up 59-35, 11:55. Teams were just trading baskets (and lots of misses) since. Not exactly a good 2nd half for us (29 pts), but MCNST didn't show any signs of a major rally.


Final Score: McNeese St - 54, Towson - 73


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilkerson 21, 3, 5, 3 stls (*)
Ward 20, 6, 1
DeMond 10, 9, 0, 2 blks
Desmond 9, 2, 0
Hale 6, 5, 1
Green 4, 6, 0
Morton 2, 3, 0
Martin 1, 1, 3
Granger 0, 1, 6
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 50-32%
REB: +3
TO: -2
Pts in paint: +20
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: -4
[/INDENT]
Notes

• We gave more playing time to our bench today, and I am pleased with their progress. By putting SF Aaron Hale (7.1 ppg) to come off the bench, we now have a reliable scoring 6th man which we didn't had last season. C Herbert Desmond (6.5 ppg) starting to become dependable on offense as well

[randy]

Dec 15, 2001: Towson (7-1) @ Northern Kentucky (5-5)

UNK has torched the net with 61% FG. SG Cain Ward struggling early, with 1-7 FG. Down 21-25, 7:21. The offense can use some improvement, but it is our defense that didn't do its job, allowing UNK to do whatever they want on offense with very less resistance. Halftime, Down 31-41.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• FG shooting: TOW 39%, UNK 55% (12 asts)
• UNK is 5-9 3PT. Our pts in the paint differential, which we usaully dominate in order to offset our opponents' outside shooting, is only +4 at the end of teh 1st half.

Start of 2nd half


We fell down further to a 14-pt deficit. We rallied and cut it down to just 6 pts. And then UNK hits their 6th triple of the game. Down 43-52, 14:06. We scored 4 unanswered and we were down by just 5. UNK hits another clutch 3. We scored a FG, and continue to knock on the door. And every time we seem to close down on UNK, they hit another 3 pt shot. We're shifting to m2m defense. Down 49-58, 10:20.

Down 5. Down 8. We need to be persistent, but our turn overs (4 in the last 4 mins) have stalled whatever little progress we're making. Now the fouls are mounting on us. Down 53-63, 6:14.

We score. Down 8. We forced 2 consecutive turn overs, and got 2 easy baskets in transition. Down 4. UNK scored an easy 2 inside. We miss, and another dagger 3 by UNK, and just like that our deficit quickly back up to 9. Down 59-68, 3:31. Split FTs by C Alex DeMond. A miss by UNK. SG Cain hits a 3. UNK responds back with jumper. Timeout. Down 63-70, 2:18.

SG Cain Ward hits a jumper. UNK misses. Timeout. Down 65-70, 1:18.

Unless we get open from outside, we don't need a 3 yet. We just need to score quickly. Shooting foul on UNK. PG Anthony Martin to shoot 2 FTs. Miss the 1st. Hits the 2nd. Huge miss, as we still down by 2 possessions. Down 66-70, 1:03.

UNK gets another basket. Timeout. Down 66-72, 0:41.

No choice but to go for 3s now. Small, shooting lineup in. We'll foul intentionally. UNK able to hit clutch FTs to seal their win.


Final Score: Towson - 71, Northern Kentucky - 75


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 23, 6, 3, 4 tos
Wilkerson 14, 4, 7
DeMond 13, 6, 2
Green 10, 6, 2, 2 stls
Hale 4, 4, 0
Martin 3, 3, 4
Desmond 2, 1, 2
Granger 2, 0, 1
Morton 0, 2, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 49-54%
REB: +9
TO: -1
Pts in paint: +12
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]
Notes

• We narrowly won almost every major statistical category. UNK just did a great job hitting clutch shots one after another, just as were building some momentum
• We only went to the FT line 4 times today, which reduced our opportunities to scores

[randy]

Dec 21, 2001: Towson (7-2) @ Kentucky Wesleyan (6-4)

UKW did not score until the 14:21 mark. But after that poor start, UKW currently on a 9-3 run. Up 15-9, 11:37. Our 7 turn overs have halted our offense, as UKW pulls even closer. Up 23-21, 5:10. UKW able to pull even. However, we finished string on an 11-2 run, including a 3pt shot at the buzzer. Halftime, Down 34-25.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• UKW dished out 10 asts on 11 FGM
• We didn't dominate a particular statistical category, but had little advantage on most of them, including +4 2nd chance pts, and +4 fast break pts.

Start of 2nd half


C Alex DeMond opened up the 2nd half with 6 unanswered pts. UKW's 4 3pt baskets in the 2nd half allowed them to stay within striking distance of our lead. Up 51-39, 11:02. DeMond has been solild, scoring 10 of his 17 pts in the 2nd half so far. But UKW slowly chopping away our lead, much like what happened in the 1st half. Up 57-49, 5:31. SG Haven Wilkerson able to answer every FG that UKW made since. UKW made a 3 pts shot to cut our lead to 4, but it was already too late.


Final Score: Towson - 63, Kentucky Wesleyan - 59


Box Scores
[INDENT]DeMond 17, 8, 0 (*)
Ward 12, 6, 1
Wilkerson 12, 2, 3
Green 8, 4, 1, 2 stls
Martin 6, 1, 6
Desmond 4, 6, 0
Morton 2, 2, 2
Granger 2, 1, 2
Hale 0, 3, 1, 2 stls
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-43%
REB: +3
TO: -1
Pts in paint: +16
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: +3
[/INDENT]
Notes

• We didn't do a good job holding on to our leads. Fortunately, UKW ran out of time to completely turn this game around.

[randy]

Dec 28, 2001: VCU (5-4, 0-0) @ Towson (8-2, 0-0)

SG Cain Ward with 10 pts already. VCU has shot well from the outside. Up 15-13, 11:50. Both teams relying on outside shooting, with Ward and SG Haven Wilkerson combining for 26 pts. Until C Alex DeMond scored 8 pts in the post towards the end of the 1st half. Halftime, Up 39-28.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• Pts in the paint: VCU 4, TOW 10; not much of an advantage but enough to give us a double digit lead
• Both teams converted 4 3pt shots in the 1st half

Start of 2nd half

VCU stepped up their defense, as they shut down our shooters and we're not scoring enough inside the paint also. Up 49-42, 11:50. Both teams' offenses have gone cold, but we were able to eke out 4 unanswered pts. Up 53-42, 7:49.

We have a significant advantage on turn overs earlier in the game, but now we're on equal terms with VCU. This allowed VCU to rally and trim down our lead to just 4 pts. Up 55-51, 4:37. After an exchange of FGs, VCU hit their 8th 3pt shot of the game, and suddenly we're up by just 1. We scored on our last possession, and then we force a turn over on VCU. Timeout. Up 59-56, 2:30.

We turned the ball over after our timeout; very frustrating. VCU missed their shot. Another turn over; our 14th of the game. And this time, VCU scores on their possession. Timeout. Up 59-58, 1:22.

I was furious to the team during our last huddle. SG Cain Ward missed. Off rebound by C Alex DeMond. SG Haven Wilkerson shoots. Missed the shot also. VCU ets the rebound. Timeout VCU. Up 59-58, 0:56.

As always on situations like this, the AI coach will burn all their timeouts. On VCU's offensive possession, they turn the ball over. I call a timeout. Up 59-58, 0:47.

We have to go for a 2-and-1 so we can get the ball back. We go to SG Haven Wilkerson. Wilkerson puts up a 3. Wilkerson sinks the 3! Up 62-58, 0:40.

VCU missed. We rebound. VCU fouled late. Only their 5th team foul, 0:12. 6th foul, 0:11, 7th team foul. PG Anthony Martin to shoot 1-and-1. Martin hits both. That should do it.


Final Score: VCU - 58, Towson - 64


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 22, 3, 4, 2 stls
DeMond 21, 8, 1, 2 stls (*)
Wilkerson 13, 0, 1
Green 4, 5, 2
Martin 4, 1, 4, 6 tos
Hale 0, 5, 0
Desmond 0, 4, 0
Granger 0, 2, 1
Morton 0, 1, 3
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 44-41%
REB: Even
TO: -1
Pts in paint: +14
2nd chance: Even
Fast break: +2
[/INDENT]
Notes

• We almost threw away a home win. Far from a good game for us. Not just the turn overs, but our bench had zero pts today.

CAA Conference Standings

1. Hofstra, 1-0 (W1)
2. Delaware, 1-0 (W1)
3. Drexel, 1-0 (W1)
4. James Madison, 1-0 (W1)
5. Towson, 1-0 (W1)
6. Old Dominion, 1-0 (W1)
7. NC Wilmington, 0-1 (L1)
8. George Mason, 0-1 (L1)
9. William & Mary, 0-1 (L1)
10. Northeastern, 0-1 (L1)
11. VCU, 0-1 (L1)
12. Georgia St, 0-1 (L1)