Baltimore, MD—The Howard University men's basketball team will be looking to rebound from a poor performance in the loss to American University when it opens MEAC play against the Bears of Morgan State on Saturday at Hill Fieldhouse.
The Bison (2-8, 0-0 MEAC) had its worst shooting performance of the season, missing four of its first 17 shots to start the game. Â Much can be attributed to the combination of having so many young players and the brutal schedule, which featured six road games in 13 days during a recent stretch.
Junior forward
Prince Okoroh, who poured in a career-high 40 points against William and Mary, was held in check by the Eagles and failed to score a field goal until midway through the second half. Â Freshman guard
James Daniel, the team leading scorer with 21 points per game, was also contained and finished with 15 points, only six in the second half.
"They did a good job on Prince and J Bird," noted Howard head coach
Kevin Nickelberry. Â "We have to find other people who can step up and make plays when that happens."
A bright spot for Howard was the play of freshman center
Marcel Boyd, who recorded the first double double of his career with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
A 6-10 center, Boyd could be a key player in the match against the Bears (1-7, 0-0 MEAC), who boasts perhaps the best center in the MEAC in 7-2 senior Ian Chiles.
Boyd, along with
Oliver Ellison, will have to contain Chiles. Â Ellison has been a force with his defense, having recorded 15 blocks on the season.
The two schools have split the last two games, Morgan State escaping with a 56-54 win at Howard last season and the Bison pulling out a 64-56 victory two years ago in Baltimore.
