Towson forward Nukiya Mayo (1) holds the trophy as they celebrate their 53-49 win over Drexel in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
The Associated Press
NEWARK, Del. (AP) - Nukiya Mayo scored 20 points, Kionna Jeter added 10 and each drained a clutch jump shot in the final minute as Towson rallied late to defeat Drexel 53-49 Saturday in the Colonial Athletic Association championship game, earning the program's first berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Bailey Greenberg, the CAA player of the year, led the Drexel with 15 points, and a strong spin move down the lane for a bucket by Aubree Brown had the Dragons ahead 46-43 late. Four turnovers in the last 1:45 plagued Drexel (24-8), which has lost in the last four CAA title games.
Qierra Murray took a stolen pass to the hoop, bringing the Tigers (20-12) to 46-45, Mayo knocked down a quick turnaround jumper and Towson led for the first time in the final quarter.
Drexel called timeout with 54.9 seconds left but Towson stole the inbounds pass. Jeter held the ball until the shot clock ran down and hit a step-back jumper off a high pick-and-roll. Drexel was forced to foul and Mayo made four straight free throws in the final 11 seconds.
Drexel walloped Towson by 33 points in the regular season finale a week ago. After ending the conference season with three losses, the Tigers take a three-game win streak into the program's first NCAA appearance.
A construction crew on the University of Delaware campus severed an internet line just before the game, "which sent us back to 1995," said CAA assistant commissioner Bill Potter.
Drexel forward Bailey Greenberg (23) drives to the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Towson in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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Towson forward Nukiya Mayo (1) battles for the loose ball i during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Drexel in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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Towson head coach Diane Richardson shouts out to her players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Drexel in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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Towson forward Nukiya Mayo (1) gets a hug from her teammate as they celebrate their 53-49 win over Drexel in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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Drexel forward Niki Metzel (24) is fouled during an NCAA college basketball game against Towson in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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Towson celebrate their 53-49 win over Drexel in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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Towson head coach Diane Richardson is presented the trophy after their 53-49 win over Drexel in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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The Towson bench celebrate as they date the lead during NCAA college basketball game against Towson in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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Towson center Janeen Camp (10) and her teammate Towson guard Danielle Durjan (0) celebrate their 53-49 win over Drexel in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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Towson head coach Diane Richardson raises the trophy as the celebrate their 53-49 win over Drexel in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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Drexel guard Aubree Brown (11) is fouled by Towson guard Kionna Jeter (21) as she drives to the basket during an NCAA college basketball game against Drexel in the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Newark, Del. (AP Photo/Suchat Pederson)
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