TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — India Johnston scored 30 points and Towson used a dominant second quarter to pull away from Drexel, securing a 74-58 victory in a Colonial Athletic Association women’s basketball game Saturday at SECU Arena.

The Tigers, avenging a 23-point loss to the Dragons just six weeks prior, improved to 17-13 overall. Drexel, which entered the contest with a 20-8 record and a 58.4% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, fell to 20-9.

The most important segment of the game was a decisive 20-13 second quarter by Towson that transformed a narrow 14-13 lead after a slow-paced first period into a 34-26 halftime advantage. Drexel struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the frame, committing turnovers and missing several jump shots, while Towson methodically built its lead behind a balanced attack. The Tigers never relinquished control, maintaining at least an eight-point cushion for the entire second half and stretching the lead to as many as 16 points in the final minutes.

Johnston, a 5-foot-8 guard from Bear, Delaware, was the catalyst, delivering her fourth consecutive game with at least 19 points. She was efficient from the field and added two assists in 33 minutes of action. Her performance continued a remarkable late-season surge, following recent outings of 19, 24, and 25 points.

Viki Matulevicius provided crucial support for Towson with 11 points and three assists, while Semaya Turner anchored the defense with five rebounds and a block. The Tigers’ depth was evident as nine players scored, with Masyn Marchbanks adding eight points and Kayla Morris contributing three points, two assists, and a block.

Drexel was led by Amaris Baker, who fought for a team-high 25 points on 38 minutes. The Philadelphia native also recorded an assist, but the Dragons lacked a consistent secondary scoring threat. Grace O’Neill, from West Chester, Pennsylvania, was held to just three points but dished out three assists. Bria Watkins added seven points off the bench.

The game was a stark contrast to the teams’ meeting on Jan. 24, when Drexel held Towson to a season-low 45 points in a 68-55 win. This time, the Tigers’ offense operated with more fluidity, particularly in the paint where they matched Drexel with 28 points, and capitalized more effectively on mistakes, scoring four points off turnovers to Drexel’s two.

Both teams endured stretches of poor shooting and sloppy ball-handling in the first quarter, combining for several missed layups and jumpers before the pace settled. Towson began to create separation late in the first, taking a 14-11 lead on a 3-pointer by Johnston with just over a minute remaining, a margin they would only expand.

Drexel made several pushes in the second half, closing to within eight points on multiple occasions, but each time Towson had an answer, often from Johnston or Matulevicius. A 3-pointer by Matulevicius early in the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 55-48, and a driving layup by Johnston midway through the period extended it to 59-50, effectively stifling Drexel’s final significant rally.

The Tigers sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final minute, with Johnston hitting a pair to reach the 30-point mark. An announced crowd of 576 watched as Towson closed its regular season home schedule with a statement win, while Drexel will look to regroup before the conference tournament.