TOWSON, Md. (Dec. 30, 2025)--Morgan State closed out its 2025 schedule with a non-conference contest on Tuesday afternoon against rival Towson in the finale of the Charm City Hoops Classic. The host Tigers would earn a thrilling 63-61 victory over Morgan State at SECU Arena.
 
Morgan State closed out non-conference slate 1-15, while going 0-2 in Charm City competition this season. Towson (7-5) extended its winning streak to a season-long three games.
 
Tuesday's non-conference finale featured 15 ties and 15 lead changes.
 
Towson's India Johnston hit a three-pointer to put the Tigers ahead, 60-57 with 1:37 left in the game. Morgan State responded with four straight points, following back-to-back layups by Maya Woodson and Ja'la Bannerman to reclaim the lead 61-60 with 44 seconds left.
 
Thalia Shepard hit the backend of two free throws to even the score at 61 all with 25 seconds remaining. After a miss by Morgan State on the ensuing possession, Shepard drained the game winning baseline jumper to give the hosts a 63-61 lead with 1.1 left in the contest.     
 
Michaela Bogans scored a game-high 15 points, added a game-high four assists and tallied a career-high six steals in the loss. Tiyanna James totaled 10 points and Jael Butler finished with eight points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.
 
The Lady Bears jumped out to a 16-8 lead, following a jumper by Butler with 3:08 left in the opening quarter. Towson countered with three straight three-pointers in the midst of a 9-4 spurt to pull within 20-17. Morgan would hold a 22-17 lead after one quarter of play.
 
After shooting 62.5% (10-of-16) in the first quarter, Morgan State would struggle in the second. Towson would limit the guests to under 10 points scoring, outscoring the Lady Bears 17-9 in the second quarter to take a 34-31 lead at the intermission. Morgan would shoot just 15.79% (3-of-19, including 0-for-6 from three-point range.
 
Shepard led the Tigers with 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Johnston came off the bench to score 11 points. Kayla Morris tallied a game-high four blocks to go with five rebounds and three points.
 
Morgan State will now enjoy the New Year, before beginning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play on the road at Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday, Jan. 3. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. at the Hytche Athletic Center in Princess Anne, Md.                                                                                                                                   
  
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.