TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit over grace, the Towson Tigers survived a ferocious challenge from the visiting Morgan State Bears, escaping with a 63-61 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Tuesday afternoon at SECU Arena.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 583, was a stark departure from pregame expectations. National statistical models had given Towson a 95.2% probability of victory, but the Bears, entering with a 1-14 record, authored a performance that belied their standing, turning the matchup into a tense, possession-by-possession struggle that was not decided until the final second.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the closing moments. With the score tied at 61 and only 25 seconds remaining, Morgan State’s Maya Woodson was called for a foul on Towson’s Thalia Shepard, sending the Tigers’ forward to the line for two shots. Shepard, a 5-foot-9 sophomore from Boston, missed the first but calmly sank the second to give Towson a 62-61 lead.

After a Morgan State timeout, the Bears worked for a final shot. Tiyanna James’ 3-point attempt from the wing with nine seconds left missed, and Towson’s India Johnston secured the defensive rebound. She was immediately fouled and made the first of two free throws with eight seconds left, extending the lead to 63-61. She intentionally missed the second, but Morgan State’s last-ditch attempt—a Jael Butler jump shot as time expired—was off the mark, sealing the narrow win for the home team.

The game’s outcome was a product of contrasting styles. Morgan State’s pressure defense was the engine of its effort, forcing 17 Towson turnovers and converting them into 12 points. The Bears also dominated inside, outscoring Towson 34-18 in the paint. Towson, however, found its edge from the perimeter and the free-throw line. The Tigers hit seven 3-pointers to Morgan State’s two and attempted 10 more free throws, making 16 to Morgan State’s 11.

Morgan State guard Michaela Bogans was the standout performer on the floor. The 5-foot-6 junior from Augusta, Georgia, spearheaded the Bears’ effort with a game-high 15 points, adding four assists and four steals in 28 minutes. Her defensive activity set the tone early, helping Morgan State build a 22-17 lead after the first quarter. Tiyanna James added 10 points for the Bears.

Towson was led by Thalia Shepard, who posted 14 points and nine rebounds. Her late free throws proved decisive. Semaya Turner provided a key interior presence with eight points and five rebounds, while India Johnston scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Towson’s ball security was an issue, as evidenced by their mere four assists against 17 turnovers, but they compensated with a 13-7 advantage in offensive rebounds and five blocked shots, four coming from 6-foot-2 forward Kayla Morris.

Morgan State’s early energy saw them lead by as many as seven points in the first half, but Towson’s steady, quarter-by-quarter output—scoring 17, 17, 14, and 15—slowly eroded the margin. The Tigers took their first lead since the opening minutes late in the third quarter and the teams traded blows throughout a tense fourth period, featuring five ties and three lead changes, before Shepard’s clutch free throw.

With the win, Towson improved to 7-5 on the season and will open Coastal Athletic Association play at home against Campbell on Friday. Morgan State, now 1-15, showed significant fight in defeat and will look to build on this performance as they travel to face Maryland-Eastern Shore on Saturday to begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference action.