CORVALLIS, Ore. - Junior Marcus Damas nailed a game-winning jumper with eight-tenths of a second left in overtime as the Tigers (5-8) stunned Oregon State (9-3) at Gill Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.

The Beavers, who came into the game with a five-game winning streak, seemed to be on their way to a one-sided victory as they owned a 44-25 lead with 16:08 left in the game.

However, the Tigers, who never led in regulation, chipped away at the lead gradually. When Bilal Dixon made a layup with 1:16 remaining, the game was tied at 58. The Beavers took a 60-58 advantage with 55 seconds remaining when Devon Collier made a pair of free throws. However, Jerrelle Benimon converted two free throws with 33 seconds left to tie the game at 60.

The Beavers had a chance to win in the final seconds but Ahmad Starks missed a layup and Collier missed a jumper after grabbing the rebound.

Oregon State grabbed a 66-65 lead with 17 seconds left in overtime when Starks made a three-pointer. However, Damas answered at the other end to give Towson the comeback win.

Benimon led the Tigers with 20 points and a career-high 21 rebounds while Damas added 16 points.

Benimon, who posted his eighth double-double in his last 11 games, is the second Tiger to post a 20-20 game in the last 14 games. Robert Nwankwo was the first player in CAA Tournament history to register a 20-20 game when he scored 27 points and grabbed 20 rebounds against Delaware in the tournament last season.

Benimon is the first player in all of Division I men's basketball to post a 20-20 game this season.

The last time Towson picked up a win over a BCS school came on January 30, 1995 when the Tigers defeated Louisville.


-TowsonTigers.com-