Nov. 14, 2008
Box Score
TOWSON, Md. -- Josh Thornton scored 24 points, including 19 in the second half, to lead Towson to an easy 86-68 victory over Navy in the season opener for both teams Friday night in front of 2,789 fans at the Towson Center. Clif Colbert led Navy with 14 points and a career-high tying eight rebounds off the bench. Navy played without starters Romeo Garcia (hamstring) and Mark Veazey (back).
"You have to credit Towson tonight. They played with great energy, and they have a lot of skilled players that can shoot the ball well," said Navy head coach Billy Lange. "But we did a lot of uncharacteristic things tonight. We let a 10-point halftime deficit turn into a 25-point deficit without really trying. We aren't as good as we think we are and we aren't as bad as we played tonight. We will get back to work and get ready for Howard tomorrow."
Navy struggled right from the start, falling behind 18-9 in the first 11 minutes as Navy made just four of 16 shots (.250) from the field, including 1-of-7 from three-point range, with seven turnovers. The Mids were also whistled for the first seven fouls of the game as both Chris Harris and Colbert were saddled with two early fouls.
Towson took its largest lead of the half at 27-13 on a Josh Thornton three-pointer with five minutes left. Sophomore guard O.J. Avworo stopped the run with a driving lay-up high off the glass to cut the lead to 12 at 27-15.
Towson still led 29-15, before the Mids answered with a 9-1 run over 1:40 time span to trim the margin to 30-24 with 1:50 to play. Colbert fueled the run with four points and Adam Teague concluded the spurt with his first three-pointer of the season.
The Mids had a chance to cut the lead to six at the half, but freshman Jordan Sugars took an ill-advised shot with 32 seconds left and Towson's Calvin Lee hit a jumper with eight seconds left in the half to give the Tigers a 34-24 halftime lead.
Towson opened the second half on a 21-5 run, riding the hot hand of Thornton. Thornton scored 14 points in the first six minutes of the half, connecting on all four of his three-point tries, to give the Tigers a 58-32 advantage with 14 minutes to play.
Navy would get no closer than 17 the rest of the way as the Tigers coasted to an 86-68 victory.
Jarrel Smith added 18 points and five rebounds for the Tigers, while Brian Morris had 10 points and eight assists. Calvin Lee was a force inside for the Tigers, scoring 10 points, grabbing nine rebounds and blocking six shots.
Adam Teague grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds and added eight points for the Mids, while Kaleo Kina scored 10 points, the majority after the outcome was already decided.
Towson made 29 of their 63 shots (.460), including 10 of 25 from behind the three-point line (.400). The Tigers made 18 of their 28 free throws (.642).
Navy was 27-of-72 (.375) from the floor, including just five of 25 from behind the three-point line (.200). Navy shot just 12 free throws, making nine (.750).
Navy outrebounded the Tigers, 50-35, but the Mids committed 18 turnovers compared to just seven for Towson
Navy will be back in action on Sunday at 1:00 pm in the home opener against Howard. The Bison upset Oregon State on Friday night, 47-45.
"We aren't going to make excuses about our injuries," said Lange. "The run they had to start the second half was unacceptable."
# GO NAVY #
