TOWSON, Md. - Senior forward Calvin Lee scored a career high 25 points as host Towson got its 2009-10 campaign off on a positive note Friday night when the Tigers handed Miami (Ohio) an 82-71 loss in the season opener for both teams.
The Tigers, winning their lid lifter for a fourth straight year, clawed their way back from two deficits. Troy Franklin's three-point play at the 13:34 mark of the second period capped a 17-9 run that put the Tigers out front, 54-51. Towson held the advantage the rest of the way, leading by as many as 14 points late.
"We feel we can score more this year than last year when we averaged around 65 points," Tiger head coach Pat Kennedy said. "Our shot selection in the second half was very good."
Towson shot 52.6 per cent for the game. The RedHawks were 55.2 per cent from the field in the first half when they grabbed a 42-37 lead at the break but cooled to 39 per cent in the final period.
The RedHawks built a 10-point lead (18-8) early. The Tigers spent most of the first half erasing the deficit, assuming a 33-32 lead with 3:40 left in the period on David Brewster's three-pointer. But Miami got the advantage right back when Kenny Hayes, the RedHawks top scorer with 17 points, buried a trey that beat the shot clock. Miami closed the half with a 12-4 run for the 42-37 lead.
The RedHawks bolted to a nine point lead (46-37) to start the second half but Towson's 17-9 run put the Tigers on top the rest of the way.
Lee was the only Towson player in double figures but all nine Tigers who saw action scored at least four points. Point guards Brian Morris and Franklin combined for 15 assists.
"My teammates believe in me and kept giving me the ball," said Lee who was 10 of 16 from the floor and 5-7 from the free throw line. "I was able to finish a lot of the plays."
Hayes got scoring support from Nick Winbush and Adam Fletcher with 11 points each.
The Tigers are back in action again next Saturday afternoon when they host their second straight Mid-American Conference opponent, Buffalo. Opening tip is set for 1:00 p.m. The RedHawks return to the court on Monday night when they travel to Kentucky to face the 4th ranked team nationally in the pre-season polls.
