TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — Towson pulled away in the second half to defeat UNC Wilmington 79-68 in a Colonial Athletic Association women’s basketball game Sunday at SECU Arena. The Tigers, led by Tilda Sjökvist’s 16 points and five assists, outscored the Seahawks 45-38 after halftime. Towson shot efficiently, making 8 of 23 from three-point range and 19 of 22 free throws. UNC Wilmington’s Rori Cox posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Towson improved to 10-5 overall, while UNC Wilmington fell to 5-10. Attendance was 522.

TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive efficiency and a decisive fourth-quarter surge, the Towson Tigers defeated the UNC Wilmington Seahawks 79-68 in a Colonial Athletic Association women’s basketball contest Sunday at SECU Arena. The Tigers, improving to 10-5 overall, used a balanced scoring attack and superior shot-making to pull away from a persistent Seahawks squad that fell to 5-10. The most important stretch of the game arrived in the final period, where Towson, leading 55-50 after three quarters, opened with an 11-3 run to establish a commanding 15-point advantage. The spurt, fueled by a three-pointer from India Johnston and three free throws from Thalia Shepard, effectively sealed the outcome, as UNC Wilmington could not cut the deficit to single digits the rest of the way. Towson’s victory was built on precision from the floor and the free-throw line. The Tigers shot 44.8% from the field and connected on 8 of 23 three-point attempts. More critically, they capitalized at the charity stripe, making 19 of 22 free throws, including a perfect 6-for-6 performance in the fourth quarter. UNC Wilmington, by contrast, struggled with its outside shot all afternoon, hitting just 2 of 17 from three-point range. The Seahawks did hold advantages in assists, steals, and points off turnovers, but could not overcome their 36.8% shooting from the field. Tilda Sjökvist, the junior guard from Huskvarna, Sweden, led Towson with 16 points and dished out a game-high five assists, orchestrating the Tigers’ offense. Forward Kayla Morris of Harlem, New York, added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Zoli Khalil of Rockingham County, Virginia, posted 11 points and eight boards. Towson’s bench provided a significant lift, contributing 30 points, led by Viki Matulevicius’s 11 points. UNC Wilmington was paced by a double-double from guard Rori Cox of Brooklyn, New York, who scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Mary Ferrito added 10 points for the Seahawks, who outscored Towson 36-30 in the paint and 17-9 off turnovers, reflecting a scrappy defensive effort that ultimately could not compensate for the shooting disparity. The game began competitively, with Towson taking a 20-17 lead after the first quarter. The Tigers maintained a slim 34-30 edge at halftime. The third quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with Towson carrying a 55-50 lead into the final frame before their decisive run. Towson’s offense operated with notable efficiency, scoring 79 points on just 73 possessions for an offensive rating of 107.6. UNC Wilmington managed 68 points on 78 possessions, an offensive rating of 86.7. The Tigers also won the rebounding battle 41-38. The announced attendance was 522. The win keeps Towson in the upper tier of the CAA standings, while UNC Wilmington continues to search for consistency in conference play. Up next, Towson hosts Monmouth on Friday. UNC Wilmington returns home to face Elon, also on Friday.

TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — A surging Towson looks to continue its climb in the Colonial Athletic Association standings when it hosts a struggling UNC Wilmington team on Sunday at SECU Arena. The Tigers (9-5) have won five straight games, including a gritty 47-46 road victory at Hofstra last Friday. Guard India Johnston has been a consistent offensive catalyst during the streak, averaging 17.2 points over that span. She scored 13 in the win over Hofstra and had a season-high 26 points in an overtime win at Maryland-Eastern Shore last month. They will face a Seahawks squad (5-9) seeking to halt a two-game skid after a narrow 52-50 loss at Monmouth on Friday. UNC Wilmington has lost four of its last five, with the lone win a 69-67 victory over Northeastern on Jan. 2. A key matchup will feature Johnston against UNC Wilmington’s top scorer, Rori Cox. Cox is coming off a 16-point, 4-rebound performance at Monmouth and has scored in double figures in four of her last six contests. Forward Kylah Silver, who had 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in the Monmouth game, will be crucial for the Seahawks on the interior. Towson has shown a knack for close wins, with three victories in its streak coming by 3 points or fewer. UNC Wilmington, conversely, has been in several tight contests but has struggled to finish, with four of its nine losses by 6 points or less. This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season in CAA play. The Tigers will look to defend their home court, where they are 5-2 this season, while the Seahawks aim to improve a 1-6 road record. Following this contest, Towson remains at home to face Monmouth next Friday. UNC Wilmington travels back home to host Elon next Friday.