TOWSON, Md. - When the Delaware Blue Hens and Towson Tigers get together, they usually play a competitive game. In fact, five of the last six games between the long-time rivals have been decided by 10 or less points.

Delaware leads the series by a 38-27 margin and has won the last two games, including a streak-breaking 66-63 road win last season at the Towson Center. Guard Devon Saddler, a freshman at the time, drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to lead the Blue Hens, who broke a 23-game CAA road losing streak. For Towson, it was a heartbreaking loss considering the Tigers had a nine-point lead with 6:34 left.

The Blue Hens (8-10, 4-4 CAA) opened the season with road losses to Radford and Villanova. They ended up losing their first four games on the road, but won their first four home games (Cornell, Lafayette, Drexel, La Salle).

The road losing streak ended on Dec. 10 when the Blue Hens defeated Delaware State, 58-42. But 12 days later, Delaware lost at Howard in overtime, 88-83.

The home winning streak ended on Dec. 30 when the Blue Hens fell to Temple, 66-63.

Since the Colonial Athletic Association schedule resumed on Jan. 2, Delaware has been up-and-down. A five-point loss at UNC Wilmington was followed by a one-point home win against Hofstra. On Jan. 7, the Blue Hens won at William & Mary, 75-64. On Jan. 11, Delaware lost a tough home game to Old Dominion, 68-66, in overtime that was followed by a 13-point home loss against VCU.

Last Wednesday night, the Blue Hens fell at George Mason, 89-63. On Saturday afternoon, Delaware played another overtime game at home and earned a 77-74 double overtime victory over Georgia State.

Delaware shoots 42% from the field and 29% from three-point range, but the Blue Hens allow teams to shoot just 39% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc. They have a rare 0.0 rebounding margin but a -3.8 turnover ratio (13.1 turnovers committed per game to 9.2 turnovers forced per game).

This a guard-oriented team led by Saddler (6-2, 205), the powerful combo guard from Aberdeen (Md.), who played at Winchendon Prep (Mass.). Saddler averages 18.6 points per game (2nd in the CAA) while shooting 38.4% from the field and 30% (32-107) from beyond the arc. But, Saddler is most dangerous when he is driving to the basket and drawing fouls. He has been to the foul line 101 times this season, making 79.2% of his attempts. He also averages 3.1 rebounds per game but has 61 turnovers in 17 games.

Freshman Khalid Lewis (6-3, 185) has very good size for a point guard. The Trenton, N.J. native averages 5.8 points per game and leads the team with 47 assists. He also shoots 41% from the field and 20% (5-25) from three-point range.

Another quality freshman, Kyle Anderson (6.2, 185) gives Delaware a strong perimeter shooter. He averages 9.9 points per game while shooting 39% from the field and 33% (37-112) from beyond the arc.

Up front, junior Jamelle Hagins (6-9, 240) has turned into one of the best post players in the CAA. Hagins averages 13.1 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per game to lead the CAA. Hagins is probably a candidate for CAA Defensive Player of the Year with 2.8 blocks per game (2nd in CAA). He also shoots 53% from the field but has had issues with turnovers (39).

Junior Josh Brinkley (6-6, 245) is a bruiser who gives the team 8.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in just 22.5 minutes per game. Brinkley shoots 57% from the floor and 72% from the line.

Led by freshman guard Jarvis Threatt (6-2, 170), Delaware has a pretty deep bench. Threatt averages 5.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest while playing an average of 21 minutes per outing. He shoots just 31% from the field but is more dangerous from three-point range, where he has made 14 of 43 (33%) attempts.

Junior Kelvin McNeill (6-8, 230) adds a big body off the bench. He averages 3.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while playing 16.6 minutes per contest. He shoots 40% from the field and 45% (18-40) from the foul line.

Tip-off for Monday night's game is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be shown on ESPN3 and broadcast on WNST-AM 1570. In addition, make sure to check out the in-game blog right here on TowsonTigers.com.