Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

GAME NOTES: For the first-time ever, the Towson Tigers will clash with the Western Michigan Broncos on the hardwood, when the two teams meet this evening at the Towson Center.

It has been a tough start to the year for Western Michigan, which has dropped three of its first four games, including a 78-63 setback to 19th ranked Illinois this past Saturday. However, the team's lone victory did come on the road against Milwaukee (67-55), giving the Broncos some hope coming into this game.

As for the Tigers, they have also suffered a loss in three of their first four games. After collecting their only win on the year, an 89-74 decision over Coppin State, the Tigers dropped back-to-back matchups, falling to Buffalo (87-76) and most recently Navy (89-84).

The Broncos posted a respectable 43.6 percent shooting effort the last time they were on the floor, but it did not mater because they were clearly no match for the Fighting Illini. Western Michigan finished just 7-of-23 from behind the arc, and more importantly committed 14 turnovers, which turned into 22 points for Illinois. Matt Stainbrook led the way for the Broncos with 16 points, while Nate Hutcheson added 15 points. Hutcheson comes into this matchup averaging 10.0 ppg for Western Michigan and he is sitting right behind Demetrius Ward, who is netting 11.5 ppg, to go along with a team-best 5.8 rpg. Against the Illinois the guard finished with 13 points and grabbed five boards, but the team was unable to stay close with Illinois because the leading scorer on the season, Flenard Whitfield (13.3 ppg) was limited to just two points on a 1-of-7 effort.

The problem for Towson against Navy was not offensively, which is evident by the team's 84 points. However, Towson's defensive effort was lacking. The Tigers let the Midshipmen score 89 points, while connecting on 11-of-22 three- point attempts. It was an inexcusable defensive performance that wasted the efforts of Troy Franklin and four other players who finished with double figures. Franklin, who is averaging 12.8 ppg led the way with 18 points in the loss, and also dished out six assists, while Brian Morris also contributed six assists, to go along with his 16 points. Braxton Dupree added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Josh Brown and Rashawn Polk registered 13 and 12 points, respectively. Both Polk and Dupree have been consistent on the season, netting 15.3 ppg and 11.3 ppg. However, the player who was the most reliable up to the Navy game was Isaiah Philmore, who is producing 15.3 ppg, to go along with a team-best 9.0 rpg. However, against Navy the forward finished with just seven points and eight rebounds.

The Tigers have more than enough players that can score, but their task as a group will be to improve defensively, and until they do, each game will be a roller coaster ride. As for tonight, Towson should grab the win, but that all depends on the performance without the ball.