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 - 63Box 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- Towson, 1-0 (W1)
- James Madison, 1-0 (W1)
- Delaware, 1-0 (W1)
- Georgia St, 1-0 (W1)
- Hofstra, 1-0 (W1)
- Northeastern, 1-0 (W1)
- George Mason, 0-1 (L1)
- VCU, 0-1 (L1)
- NC Wilmington, 0-1 (L1)
- Drexel, 0-1 (L1)
- William & Mary, 0-1 (L1)
- Old Dominion, 0-1 (L1)