PHILADELPHIA -- Jerrelle Benimon posted his ninth double-double of the season and Towson defeated Drexel 69-66 Saturday in Colonial Athletic Conference action.

Marcus Damas tallied 13 points and eight rebounds while Jerome Hairston and Mike Burwell added 12 apiece. Benimon, a transfer from Georgetown, finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds. The forward has grabbed over 15 rebounds in six games this season, including 21 at Oregon State.

Towson (7-8, 2-0) led 18-16 before using a 12-2 run over the final 4:18 of the first half to take a 30-18 advantage into intermission. Drexel (5-9, 1-1) rallied to slice the deficit to 61-56 with 1:36 left to play, but Towson converted eight free throws down the stretch to seal it.

Towson shot 43 percent (19 of 44), compared to 33 percent (19 of 56) for Drexel, and made a season-high 27 free throws.

Drexel was led by 17 points from Frantz Massenat.