TIGER CLUB
Towson State University
Tiger Tracks
Published exclusively for Tiger Club members
by the Athletic Department.
January 23, 1980
MEN CAGERS RESUME ACTION ON JANUARY 29
After taking a needed eight-day rest, Coach Vince Angotti's basketball team will
return to action on Tuesday, January 29 to face Howard University, starting a stretch of
six home games in three weeks. After the Howard game, the Tigers face Robert Morris at
home on February 2, Mt. St. Mary's on February 7, Baltimore on February 13, and Delaware
State on February 16. We close out our first home season on February 20 hosting Loyola at
8:00. At that time, the 1980 Ford Pinto, compliments of Burger King, will be raffled off
at half time. (Tiger fans are reminded that they must be in attendance to win).
We've just concluded a brutal stretch of nine games in 19 days and six states. After
winning our first game of the streak, we came up empty in the next eight, although we
picked up a forfeit win over Kent State from a game back in December when it was learned
one of their players was ineligible.
"We need a rest," said Vince after we dropped a 77-59 decision to St. Francis on
Monday night. "These past two-and-a-hal f weeks have been devastating, both physically and
mentally. Now I know what NBA players go through. It will be good to play at home before
familiar faces. The toughest part of the schedule is behind us."
Despite the 4-11 record we have in our first Division I season, Vince remains en¬
couraged. "We've been in every ball game, except for Robert Morris," he said. "We played
well in the first half against N.C. State, and we could have won both games with Madison
as well as the two out in the midwest (Northern Illinois and Wi sconsin-Milwaukee) . Our
defense has been very good this year. We just can't score enough to win. I guess that is
because we're so young."
While Towson is allowing only 74.5 points per game, we're forcing an average of more
than 20 turnovers per game. Only twice have teams beaten us by more than 20 points
(Robert Morris and N.C. State), while eight of our losses have been by 15 points or less.
Freshman Michael Sharpe continues to improve with each game. The 6-5 forward from
Lake Clifton High School leads our team in scoring with a 13.0 average and his .481 field
goal percentage is also tops. 6-6 junior center Joe Miller has provided us with steady
play as he is averaging 8.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Junior guard
Mike Lyles is scoring at an 11.2 clip, while freshmen Donald Leslie and Mark Cooley are
averaging 8.9 and 7.2 points per game, respectively.
The February 2 game with Robert Morris is part of Alumni Night activities. Prior to
the Tigers' 8:00 game with the Colonials, the TSU alumni will face each other at 6:00. As
part of the Alumni Night activities, each family presenting a coupon available from the
TSU Alumni Office will be admitted free of charge.
WOMEN CONTINUE DRIVE FOR POST-SEASON BERTH
Coach Breezy Bishop's women's basketball team, which became the first Towson team to
win the TSU Invitational two weeks ago, is in the chase for an EAIAW Division II post¬
season playoff berth. We had our nine-game win streak stopped by Pittsburgh-Johnstown,
the number one Division III team in the nation.
However, with big games upcoming against Loyola, Mt. St. Mary's, Navy, and Morgan
State, Breezy is hopeful that the team will right itself and start another streak. "We
really haven't played well since the tournament," she said. "We were very lucky to get
away from William Paterson with a win, but Pittsburgh-Johnstown was a different story."
Our Tigers, who beat Slippery Rock, undefeated Kean College, and LaSalle to win the
tournament, were led by senior Janet Flora's record-setting performance. Janet set tour¬
nament records for total points (81) and points in one game (34 against LaSalle). She and
Vonda Wilkins were all -tournament choices as Vonda set the tournament total rebounding
mark with 57, including 25 in the championship game.
We play Delaware at the Towson Center on Thursday, January 24 at 8:00 before facing a
very strong Loyola squad at Evergreen on January 29 at 8:00. After road games at Howard
and St. Mary's, we return to the Towson Center for a February 7 contest with Mt. St.
Mary's at 6:00. The Tigers-Mount matchup is the first half of a men and women double-
header.
WRESTLERS BOUNCING BACK
After losing its first six matches, Coach Ray Groszkowski ' s wrestling team is on the
road to recovery as we've won our last three of four matches. Junior Stan Curtain remains
undefeated through 7 matches as we have a 3-7 record after beating Western Maryland Col¬
lege. Curtain, who qualified for the NCAA Division II championship meet last year, has
five decisions and a pin among his seven wins. Dennis Beale, who also qualified for the
NCAA-II meet last year, has a 6-3 record.
