Winning is Everything

[randy]

Dec 19, 2002: Towson (8-0) @ Boise St (5-4)

We're outplaying BOI in all aspects of the game, but our 2-7 FT performance making this a reasonably close match. Up 17-12, 11:54. BOI got into penalty early, and we finally making our FTs. BOI hand around for a while with thier shooting, but eventually missed a lot of shots towards the end of the half. Halftime, Up 49-29. SG Cain Ward on his way to another big performance, 23 pts, 3-6 3PT

It is one of the most absolutely amazing offensive performance I've seen, as SG Cain Ward was a man playing against boys. Not only can Ward hit from deep (7-12 3PT) he can also leave his defender when driving to the basket.


Final Score: Towson - 97, Boise St - 60


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 43, 4, 0, 1 stl, 2 blks, 7-12 3PT (*)
Wallace 16, 2, 0
Brown 14, 9, 3, 1 stl
Mason 12, 2, 1, 1 blk
Morton 6, 0, 2, 2 stls
Price 4, 5, 6
Dement 2, 5, 6, 1 stl
Wise 0, 3, 4, 4, stls
Desmond 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 60-41%
REB: +7
TO: -13
Pts in paint: +34
2nd chance: +14
Fast break: +9
[/INDENT]

[randy]

After non-conference play, SG Cain Ward emerges as the nation's leading scorer, with 27 ppg

Dec 26, 2002: Towson (9-0, 0-0) @ VCU (5-4, 0-0)

VCU trying to slow down the game, even by giving up lots of fouls. Down 13-15, 11:43. If VCU's game plan is to make this a physical and slow game, then they have succeeded as both teams shot below 40% FG. We shot 16-25 FT in the 1st half. Halftime, Up 35-30. SG Cain Ward off to slow start, 4 pts, 1-6 FG.

5 early turnovers at the start of the 2nd half put us in a precarious situation. Even as we converted a couple of 3s, VCU is still keeping this game close. Up 46-40, 11:56. VCU eventually took a 1-pt by hitting their 5th 3pt shot of the game. We responded with 6 unanswered pts to go up by 5. But VCU is very resilient coming with a 5-0 run of their own, including another 3. Tied at 56, 6:10.

We committed our 12th turn over (7 ion the 2nd half). VCU splits their FTs to go up by 1 again. SG Cain Ward converted a 3pt play opportunity, and we reclaim a 2-pt lead. We get a steal. VCU counters with a block. We get another steal. PF Aaron Wise connected on a low post basket. Up 4. VCU hits 2 FTs. Up 61-59, 3:33.

We throw the ball yet again. VCU scores on a drive to tie the score. We miss an ill-advised 3. VCU missed. They get the offensive rebound. We blocked their shot, and recovered the ball. Timeout. Tied at 61, 2:18.

We go to our main man, SG Cain Ward. Ward has struggled the entire game, 3-11 FG. Despite his earlier misses, Ward bravely puts up a 3 pt shot. Ward fills it up from long range! What a bis shot by Ward (13 pts). Up 3. VCU missed. But their 5-5 PG gets the off rebound, shoots, and scores. Timeout. Up 64-63, 1:35.

Not happy on that last defensive sequence. We go to SG Cain Ward again. Ward dribbles closer. Pull up jumper is good! Another clutch basket by Ward (15 pts). Up 3. VCU traveled. Timeout. Up 66-63, 1:00.

SG Cain Ward gets the ball again. He tries to post up his defender. Shoots, missed the shot. Ward gets the off rebound. Tries again, but got fouled. 2 FTs. Miss the 1st. Miss the 2nd! As a team, we missed 12 FTs today

C Kelley Brown with the offensive rebound. I noticed the players looked confused on what to do next. I call my last timeout. Up 66-63, 0:38.

We need to eat up some clock. VCU is not fouling. We pass the ball around. 0:20 game clock, 0:09 shot clock. With 1 sec to shoot, C Kelley Brown has to put up a hurried shot. Missed. VCU gets the def board. VCU timeout. Up 66-63, 0:07.

We'll max out def intensity (we have only 5 team fouls), and full court press. VCU inbounds the ball on their back court. VCU able to break our press. Their SG launches a 3 pt shot. Miss. Game over. Conference games are not walk in the park.


Final Score: Towson - 66, VCU - 63


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 15, 4, 2, 1 stl, 1 blk (*)
Brown 12, 7, 0, 1 stl
Wallace 8, 8, 1, 2 stls, 1 blk
Wise 8, 4, 0, 1 stl
Mason 8, 2, 0
Dement 6, 3, 2, 3 blks, 4 tos
Price 4, 2, 2, 1 stl, 1 blk
Morton 3, 8, 1, 3 stls
Desmond 2, 1, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 40-40%
REB: +2
TO: Even
Pts in paint: +4
2nd chance: -4
Fast break: -14
[/INDENT]


CAA Conference Standings

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

[randy]

Dec 29, 2002: Delaware (7-3, 1-0) @ Towson (10-0, 1-0)

Would have been a better start, if not for those early 4 turn overs we committed. Up 15-9, 11:54. DEL's hot shooting from the outside (6 3pt shots in the 1st half) eventually gave them a 3 pt lead. We woke up before everything else falls apart, and ended the half with an 11-0 run. Halftime, Up 34-26. We committed a total of 8 turn overs in the 1st half.

SG Cain Ward starting to be more more aggressive on offense, and our big men asserting themselves in crashing the boards. Up 48-35, 12:51. Ward with 14 of his 21 pts scored in the 2nd half. Up 60-43, 7:29. DEL got some momentum going after hitting back-to-back triples to cut our lead to 11. But that was short-lived as we put up a 11-0 run to ensure our win.


Final Score: Delaware - 58, Towson - 80


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 25, 2, 5, 2 stls, 5 tos (*)
Brown 18, 12, 0
Morton 14, 10, 1, 1 stl
Wallace 7, 3, 4
Dement 6, 6, 2
Mason 6, 4, 0
Desmond 4, 2, 0
Wise 0, 4, 1, 1 stl
Price 0, 3, 4
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 49-34%
REB: +23
TO: +4
Pts in paint: +34
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +8
[/INDENT]


CAA Conference Standings

1. Towson, 2-0 (W2)
2. Northeastern, 2-0 (W2)
3. James Madison, 1-1 (L1)
4. George Mason, 1-1 (W1)
5. Delaware, 1-1 (L1)
6. Georgia St, 1-1 (L1)
7. Hofstra, 1-1 (L1)
8. VCU, 1-1 (W1)
9. NC Wilmington, 1-1 (W1)
10. William & Mary, 1-1 (W1)
11. Drexel, 0-2 (L2)
12. Old Dominion, 0-2 (L2)

[randy]

Jan 2, 2003: #24 Towson (11-0, 2-0) @ Drexel (3-8, 0-2)

Fast-paced, high-scoring action at the start of the game. DREX has had plenty of success whenever we go to m2m defense. Up 18-16, 11:59. DREX shooting 52% FG. Halftime, Up 33-32.

We are now matching DREX' turn over woes. DREX shooting has slightly cooled off, but they are out rebounding to keep this game close. Up 44-42, 13:42. We took a 5-pt lead earlier, but DREX quickly erasing it. Tied at 49, 9:07. We go up by again, but then, we committed 3 turn overs in succession and DREX able to tie once again. SF Terrell Wallace able to hit a FG prior to the last media timeout. Up 57-55, 3:59.

An exchange of turn overs. SG Cain Ward buries his 2nd triple of the game, and we go up by 5. DREX turns the ball over. We miss. Another turn over for DREX. We miss again. DREX hits a big 3! Timeout. Up 60-58, 1:38.

SG Cain Ward can't get a shot. Ball winds up on C Kelley Brown's hands. Brown forces a jumper. Miss; bad possession for us. DREX on the offense. We get a steal. Timeout. Up 60-58, 0:49.

We need to go for a 2-and-1. SG Cain Ward defended well. We need to go for 2-and-1. PG Doug Price puts up a shot. Missed. But C Kelley Brown to get the off rebound. Brown's put back is good! Timeout DREX. Up 62-58, 0:41.

We'll go m2m. Bad decision, as DREX was able to isolate their leading scorer, C Issac Campbell, and gets his shot to go in. Timeout. Up 62-60, 0:30.

Kill some time. DREX gave up 2 fouls to get into penalty. 1-and-1 for PG Doug Price. Price missed the front end. Timeout DREX. Up 62-60, 0:25.

We need to double against their C. Stick with m2m. DREX turns the ball over again; both teams with 17 turn overs

DREX forced to give up a foul. Earlier, I replaced PG Doug Price with PG Udonis Dement. Dement to shoot 1-and-1. Dement nails both. Up 4, 2 possession game, 0:16. No stupid plays, and we should be able to hang on.


Final Score: Towson - 64, Drexel - 60


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 24, 2, 3, 2 stls, 4 tos (*)
Morton 12, 4, 0
Brown 10, 8, 0
Wallace 8, 1, 0
Desmond 2, 4, 0
Dement 2, 3, 4, 2 blks, 4 tos
Wise 2, 3, 0
Price 2, 2, 4
Mason 2, 2, 0, 1 blk
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 50-45%
REB: -1
TO: -1
Pts in paint: +12
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: +2
[/INDENT]


CAA Conference Standings

1. Towson, 3-0 (W3)
2. James Madison, 2-1 (W1)
3. Hofstra, 2-1 (W1)
4. Delaware, 2-1 (W1)
5. NC Wilmington, 2-1 (W2)
6. Northeastern, 2-1 (L1)
7. Georgia St, 1-2 (L2)
8. Old Dominion, 1-2 (W1)
9. George Mason, 1-2 (L1)
10. VCU, 1-2 (L1)
11. William & Mary, 1-2 (L1)
12. Drexel, 0-3 (L3)

[randy]

SF Mike Mason is injured (sore back, 82%, 3 days)

Jan 5, 2003: #24 Towson (12-0, 3-0) @ George Mason (6-6, 1-2)

GM just made their 1st FG with almost 7 mins gone by. Up 15-3, 13:08. GM shot just 27% FG in the 1st half. Halftime, Up 43-21. PG Doug Smith had a surprisingly good offensive output, 10 pts, 5-6 FG

We showed good scoring balance today, as 5 players scored in double figures


Final Score: Towson - 83, George Mason - 50


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 21, 2, 4 (*)
Brown 15, 15, 0
Wallace 15, 3, 2, 1 stl, 4 tos
Morton 10, 8, 1, 1 stl
Price 10, 1, 3
Wise 6, 5, 0, 1 stl
Dement 4, 3, 8, 1 stl
Desmond 2, 3, 0, 1 blk
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 58-32%
REB: +22
TO: Even
Pts in paint: +44
2nd chance: +7
Fast break: +10
[/INDENT]


CAA Conference Standings

1. Towson, 4-0 (W4)
2. Northeastern, 3-1 (W1)
3. James Madison, 3-1 (W2)
4. Hofstra, 2-2 (L1)
5. VCU, 2-2 (W1)
6. Delaware, 2-2 (L1)
7. William & Mary, 2-2 (W1)
8. NC Wilmington, 2-2 (L1)
9. Georgia St, 1-3 (L3)
10. George Mason, 1-3 (L2)
11. Drexel, 1-3 (W1)
12. Old Dominion, 1-3 (L1)

[randy]

Jan 9, 2003: Hofstra (11-3, 2-2) @ #15 Towson (13-0, 4-0)

HOF started 3-4 3PT. SG Cain Ward already with 10 pts. Up 18-15, 9:40. SF Terrell Wallace waxed hot from the outside, 4-5 3PT; and Ward hit a buzzer beating 3. Halftime, Up 39-32.

We scored 3 more triples at the start of the 2nd half, and we are starting to open up a huge gap. Up 54-39, 13:39. We were up by 15, but HOF made a rally to cut down our lead to 8. And then we come up with 7-0 run to bringthe lead back to 15 with about 5 mins to go. We were able to hold on to our lead. We had a lot of attempts, due to 11 off rebs and HOF's 18 turn overs; but we missed a lot shots as well


Final Score: Hofstra - 64, Towson - 77


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 29, 1, 4, 4 stls (*)
Wallace 17, 5, 0
Brown 10, 14, 1, 1 stl
Morton 8, 4, 1, 1 blk
Mason 7, 3, 1, 1 blk
Dement 3, 2, 7, 2 stls
Price 2, 2, 6, 1 stl
Wise 1, 1, 1, 1 stl
Desmond 0, 1, 0, 1 stl
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 42-44%
REB: -2
TO: -10
Pts in paint: +4
2nd chance: Even
Fast break: +3
[/INDENT]


CAA Conference Standings

1. Towson, 5-0 (W5)
2. James Madison, 3-2 (L1)
3. Delaware, 3-2 (W1)
4. NC Wilmington, 3-2 (W1)
5. Northeastern, 3-2 (L1)
6. Georgia St, 2-3 (W1)
7. George Mason, 2-3 (W1)
8. Hofstra, 2-3 (L2)
9. Old Dominion, 2-3 (W1)
10. VCU, 2-3 (L1)
11. William & Mary, 2-3 (L1)
12. Drexel, 1-4 (L1)

[randy]

Jan 12, 2003: #15 Towson (14-0, 5-0) @ Northeastern (6-8, 3-2)

Probably our worst start offensive this season; 1-9 FG, 5 tos. Down 9-12, 11:26. We settled down on offense, shot some FTs (14-15 FT), made some stops, and eventually build a lead. Halftime, Up 35-26. Turn overs remain a problem, with 10 in the 1st half.

SG Cain Ward picked up his 4th foul early in the 2nd half, and had to go to the bench. Didn't matter as the rest of the team, esp Mike Mason (10 pts) stepped up and even increased our lead. Up 53-38, 9:07. Lead increased to more than 20, and this game is over but the final score. Excellent game for Mason, making a lot of successful drives to the basket.


Final Score: Towson - 74, Northeastern - 48


Box Scores
[INDENT]Mason 18, 2, 1, 9-10 FG
Ward 16, 4, 3, 1 stl, 1 blk, 4 tos (*)
Morton 12, 9, 0
Wallace 7, 5, 2, 1 stl, 2 blks
Brown 6, 4, 0, 2 stls
Dement 6, 2, 5, 2 stls
Wise 4, 2, 1, 2 stls
Price 3, 2, 5, 1 stl, 6 tos
Desmond 2, 1, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 58-39%
REB: +12
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +32
2nd chance: -3
Fast break: +8
[/INDENT]


CAA Conference Standings

1. Towson, 6-0 (W6)
2. James Madison, 4-2 (W1)
3. Delaware, 4-2 (W2)
4. George Mason, 3-3 (W2)
5. NC Wilmington, 3-3 (L1)
6. Northeastern, 3-3 (L2)
7. Old Dominion, 3-3 (W2)
8. VCU, 3-3 (W1)
9. William & Mary, 2-4 (L2)
10. Hofstra, 2-4 (L3)
11. Georgia St, 2-4 (L1)
12. Drexel, 1-5 (L2)

[randy]

Jan 16, 2003: #10 Towson (15-0, 6-0) @ NC Wilmington (8-7, 3-3)

UNCWI's SG Pete Anderson has scored 14 of their 18 pts. Up 19-18, 10:53. We got our chance to build a lead a lead when UNCWI rested Anderson. Halftime, Up 43-32.

3pt shooting and some fast break pts expanded our lead to 20. UNCWI also in foul trouble, and I don't see UNCWI coming back in his game. Up 61-41, 11:22. 12 2nd chance pts, and 18 fast break helped us secure this win.

Final Score: Towson - 76, Northeastern - 56


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ward 20, 6, 5, 5 stls, 5 tos (*)
Brown 18, 12, 0
Dement 12, 2, 4
Morton 8, 4, 3
Wallace 7, 2, 2
Mason 5, 3, 0
Price 2, 1, 3
Wise 2, 1, 1
Desmond 2, 1, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 49-38%
REB: +7
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: +8
Fast break: +10
[/INDENT]


CAA Conference Standings

1. Towson, 7-0 (W7)
2. James Madison, 5-2 (W2)
3. Old Dominion, 4-3 (W3)
4. Delaware, 4-3 (L1)
5. George Mason, 4-3 (W3)
6. VCU, 4-3 (W2)
7. NC Wilmington, 3-4 (L2)
8. Georgia St, 3-4 (W1)
9. Northeastern, 3-4 (L3)
10. William & Mary, 2-5 (L3)
11. Hofstra, 2-5 (L4)
12. Drexel, 1-6 (L3)

[randy]

Jan 19, 2003: Old Dominion (6-10, 4-3) @ #10 Towson (16-0, 7-0)

We started 6-8 FG; OLD 0-4 FG, 3 turn overs, and had to burn an early timeout. Up 12-0, 15:10. OLD's nightmare of an offense continued the rest of the half, 24% FG and 10 turn overs. Halftime, Up 40-13.

Game was already decided after 20 mins of play, barring any major miracles. If it is any consolation for OLD, both teams scored 36 pts in the 2nd half

Final Score: Old Dominion - 49, Towson - 76


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 18, 14, 0, 2 stls
Morton 18, 6, 3
Ward 16, 2, 7, 3 stls
Wallace 12, 6, 3
Wise 4, 5, 0
Dement 4, 2, 6
Mason 2, 2, 2
Price 2, 2, 1, 2 stls, 4 tos
Desmond 0, 2, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 51-36%
REB: +14
TO: -6
Pts in paint: +28
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: +4
[/INDENT]


CAA Conference Standings

1. Towson, 8-0 (W8)
2. James Madison, 5-3 (L1)
3. George Mason, 5-3 (W4)
4. VCU, 5-3 (W3)
5. Northeastern, 4-4 (W1)
6. Old Dominion, 4-4 (L1)
7. Delaware, 4-4 (L2)
8. William & Mary, 3-5 (W1)
9. Georgia St, 3-5 (L1)
10. Hofstra, 3-5 (W1)
11. NC Wilmington, 3-5 (L3)
12. Drexel, 1-7 (L4)

[randy]

Jan 23, 2003: VCU (10-7, 5-3) @ #8 Towson (17-0, 8-0)

6 turn overs at this point in the way game is way too many. Fortunately, our shots beginning to fall. Up 16-10, 11:29. Tremendous shooting during the 1st half (74% FG), as 6 of our players scored 6 pts or more. Halftime, Up 53-23.

And as always, we play a sloppy 2nd half every time we establish a big lead after the 1st half. VCU "won" the 2nd scoring, 33-29.


Final Score: VCU - 56, Towson - 82


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wallace 20, 4, 6 (*)
Ward 14, 4, 3, 2 stls, 4 tos
Brown 13, 11, 0, 2 stls, 4 tos
Wise 11, 4, 1
Mason 10, 5, 1
Morton 6, 9, 0
Price 4, 0, 3
Desmond 4, 0, 0
Dement 0, 1, 8
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 62-35%
REB: +20
TO: +3
Pts in paint: +38
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: -3
[/INDENT]


CAA Conference Standings

1. Towson, 9-0 (W9)
2. James Madison, 6-3 (W1)
3. Old Dominion, 5-4 (W1)
4. Delaware, 5-4 (W1)
5. George Mason, 5-4 (L1)
6. VCU, 5-4 (L1)
7. Hofstra, 4-5 (W2)
8. Northeastern, 4-5 (L1)
9. William & Mary, 3-6 (L1)
10. NC Wilmington, 3-6 (L4)
11. Georgia St, 3-6 (L2)
12. Drexel, 2-7 (W1)