By Julee' O'Neal, W. Basketball, Broadcast Journalism Major '13

Daytona Beach, FL – The Howard University women's basketball team defeated Bethune Cookman, 56-42 at the Ocean Center on Mon. Jan. 24.

HU improves 6-14 overall and 3-4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Bethune Cookman started the game with a jumper from Amanda Hairston. The Lady Wildcats took the lead with an 8-1 run. HU stopped the run with a jumper by Kara Smith at the 16:14 mark to make it 9-3.

With just under thirteen minutes remaining in the first stint, the Lady Bison tied the game at 9-9. From there, the Bison pushed the spread to as many as nine points (24-15) and kept the advantage - taking a slim 30-21 cushion after the first 20 minutes of play.

HU came out the locker room with defensive intensity, holding the Wildcats scoreless until the 15:45 mark. In that four-plus span, the Lady Bison increased the score by seven points, 38-21. Howard took a 22 point margin – its largest of the game – from a made jumper by Adelle Walton. HU breezed its way into a victory, beating Bethune-Cookman by 14 points, 56-42.

Saadia Doyle finished the game flawless for the second-straight night with a game-best 27 points and no turnovers in 36 minutes of play. Tamoria Holmes also scored in double-digits with 16 points and three steals.

For Bethune, Jasmine Daniels tallied 12 points, while Cleniece Roberts had eight points.

The Lady Bison scored 24 points off of Bethune's 20 turnovers. HU kept the Lady Wildcats below their average, which is 56 plus points.