Norfolk, VA---The young Howard University men's basketball team faces yet another huge challenge when it takes on the Spartans of Norfolk State University in a mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown tonight at Echols Hall on the University campus. Tip-off is at 7:30 pm and you can hear all of the action (www.hubison.com) with Chuck Walton on the mike.
The Bison (6-18, 4-5 in the MEAC) are coming off another tough road loss this past Saturday when they fell behind big in the first half to Hampton before rallying in the second half, cutting the deficit to 11 but ultimately running out of gas in a 63-47 defeat.
Howard reversed its fortunes when it parlayed its Frantic, trapping defense that forced 15 second half Pirate turnovers, and the scoring of freshman guard James "J-Bird" Daniel into a 12-2 run. Daniel, the MEAC's leading scorer with almost 21 points per game, tallied 15 of his 21 after intermission, including a four-point play (his fifth of the season).
But the Bison were not able to get enough production from their second leading scorer, Prince Okoroh, who managed only six points, almost 10 under his average. No other Howard player reached double figures.
In the Spartans (13-10, 7-2), Howard faces one of the top teams in the MEAC. Norfolk State, which went undefeated through the regular season, only to lose in the first round of the tournament, was picked as the favorite to win the regular season. They are a veteran team that is just two years removed from the NCAA tournament where they upset Missouri in the first round.
Pendarvus Williams, a key member of that team, returns along with a very talented group. Williams, a 6-6 senior guard and pro prospect, is the reigning MEAC Player of the Year and the per-season pick.
"It is another great opportunity for this group of young men," said an upbeat Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "We have to learn from each game. The players know that if they come out to start the game the way they played in the second half, then we are possibly talking a different story. It is going to be a challenge. Norfolk State is a very good basketball team. But we have faced challenges all season and I am confident that we will play well."
GAME NOTES: The Bison have gotten a big boost from freshman forward Tyler Stone, who continues to show improvement each game. The 6-7 freshman from Ontario, has grabbed 17 rebounds, scored 15 points and blocked four shots in the past two games. Norfolk State has four players averaging in double figures and they lead the conference in scoring (74.2 ppg) and field goal percentage (47 percent). The two teams meet again in less than two weeks on February 24 in Burr Gymnasium at 7:30 pm.
