The Panthers, who have lost their last six games by a total of 21 points, broke from a 27-27 tie with 4:36 left in the first period and held the lead for the next 24:32, until Williams’ came up with the big bucket to give Towson the victory. The Tigers improved to 7-11 and 3-5 in league play while the Panthers dropped to 4-14 and 1-7.

Georgia State was a different team in the opening session, shooting 55 per cent from the floor and five of eight from three-point range. Leonard Mendez and Trae Goldston combined for nine of 11 from the floor to account for 25 of the Panthers’ 41 points while Rashad Chase and Justin Billingslea were keeping the boards clean with 12 between them.

There were four ties and four lead changes before the Panthers took command. Goldston’s jumper with 4:36 left broke a 27-27 tie and started the Panthers on a 14-6 run to finish the half and secure a 41-33 advantage at the break.

The Tigers turned it up a notch on defense in the second half when the Panthers were five of 25 from the field despite earning their largest lead of the game, 54-45, at the 6:50 mark. Towson also played better off the boards, out rebounding the Panthers 24-17 in the final 20 minutes.

Norman Mitchell and Mendez hit back-to-back treys to give the Panthers their nine-point lead but they would score just three more points the rest of the way.

Williams played the role of the hero down the stretch. He scored on a fastbreak layup with 1:40 left to play to narrow Georgia State’s lead to 57-56.

Jonathan Pease came up with a steal for Towson with 1:05 to play. With 0:36 on the clock Tony Durant rebounded a missed Junior Hairston shot to breathe new life into Towson’s last gasp. With six ticks left Hairston, who was bothered by a hip pointer he had received against William & Mary last Saturday, missed a short jumper. Williams was in the middle of the lane where out muscled the Panthers. He immediately went up and banked home the game winner.

“I’m a senior and I just knew it was time to make a play like that,” said Williams, who finished with 12 points and game high nine rebounds.

“Shutting down their two scorers in the second half who really killed us in the first half was a key,” said Towson head coach Pat Kennedy.

Mendez had15 of his game high 21 points in the first half. Goldston was checked for just one point in the final 20 minutes, finishing with 11.

Josh Thornton paced Towson with 18 points and was most of the Tigers’ early offense with 15 of his markers coming in the first half. Hairston, who had just two points and two rebounds in the first half while dealing with a sore hip, finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.