Towson State coach Terry Truax said he believes standout guard Ralph Blalock is almost too unselfish about shooting the ball and should become more assertive on offense.
But Blalock is certainly not shy about taking game-winning attempts.
The junior from Claymont, Del., did not hesitate last night, hitting a 23-footer with four seconds left to repulse Delaware, 84-83, before 1,476 fans at the Towson Center.
It was the third game-winning three-pointer of the season for Blalock, who previously drilled long shots to beat Mount St. Mary's, 69-68, and West Virginia, 81-78, both on the road.
"I've been told to shoot 20 times a game," said Blalock, who topped Towson (4-3) with 24 points, including four of five from three-point range. "I have a tendency to stand back and let the other players do their thing.
"But if it comes down to taking the last one, I think I should be the one to do it."
His game-winner enabled the Tigers to increase their home-court winning streak to 21, tied for the seventh longest in the nation.
Delaware (4-2) is the last team to defeat Towson at the Towson Center, taking a 76-69 decision Jan. 9, 1993.
Truax said Blalock, the former Delaware high school Player of the Year, is reticent about being too offensive minded.
"He's just so unselfish, just a good person," said the coach. "His father is a minister and we were very fortunate to get him. But Ralph is our best shooter and we want him involved."
Delaware was coming off an eight-day layoff; Towson was coming off a 120-73 crunching by Maryland five nights earlier.
Under those circumstances, both teams had a reason to start slowly, but the Tigers didn't need theirs, controlling the first 13 minutes to lead by as many as 16 points (31-15).
Then a strange first half turned around completely. The Blue Hens outscored a less patient Towson team, 25-4, the rest of the half with runs of 13 and 12 unanswered points.
That gave Delaware a 40-35 halftime lead, but Truax wasn't overly concerned.
"With our young and inexperienced team, things just don't come easily," he said. "We started making one pass and shooting and they were getting the rebounds and going down and scoring."
But the Tigers, with Stevie Thomas (18 points, nine rebounds) leading the charge, re-asserted themselves at the start of the second half and soared in front, 64-56.
Delaware countered to tie at 77 and 81 and went ahead, 83-81, on a drive down the lane by guard Brian Pearl with 13 seconds left.
Then Blalock struck, taking two dribbles against 6-foot-7 Greg Smith while directly facing the basket and hitting nothing but net.
Delaware had one last opportunity following two timeouts and got the ball up the left sideline to Smith, who had a decent look at the basket from 40 feet away.
But his desperation shot banged too high off the backboard and caromed away.
Delaware coach Steve Steinwedel said he believed Blalock took an unwise shot. "I thought it was out of his range," he said. "But it went in and that's what counts."
Blalock said he hopes he doesn't have to put in a clutch situation every time. "I wouldn't like them to all turn out like this," he said. "I would like them to be decided."
The home winning streak is a source of pride among the Tigers.
"We're all aware of it," said Blalock. "There is some stress to keep it alive because we feel this is our place and we should get the victory all the time."
If it is in question, just get the ball to Blalock. His shyness vanishes when the game is on the line.