Box Score Hampton, VA---James "J-Bird" Daniel scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the second half, but
Prince Okoroh was held to his lowest production of the season and it was not enough to overcome a big early lead as Hampton held off Howard, 63-47 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at the HU Convocation Center.
Both teams came out with early jitters, combining to score only three baskets between them in the first six minutes. Â Then the Pirates (12-11, 7-3 in the MEAC) began to flex and used their bench to pull away from the Bison (6-18, 4-5 in the MEAC).
Starters Du'Vaughn Maxwell led all scorers with 10 points but reserves Dwight Meikle and Jackson Miles came off the bench to combine for 13 points as Hampton opened a 36-15 lead at the half. Â The Bison's problems were compounded by 12 turnovers that Hampton was able to convert into 11 points and 23 percent shooting (5 of 21) from the field.
Okoroh, who came into the game averaging over 15 points per contest, failed to score and was 0 for 5 from the floor.
"Hampton is a talented team and they did a great job of jumping on us early," said Howard Coach
Kevin Nickelberry. Â "They did a good job of making it tough on J-Bird and Prince to get shots in the first half."
Howard was able to make a couple of runs during the second half, parlaying the opportunistic defense that forced 15 turnovers and the scoring of Daniel, who tallied nine of his team's points into a 12-2 run that reduced the deficit to 13 at 53-40 with five minutes still remaining.
"Our guys came out fighting in the second half and I was proud of the effort and how we did a better job of sharing the basketball in the second half. Â We had a couple of chances to get it down to single digits, but Hampton responded the way good teams do in those situations." Maxwell and Brian Darden were able to keep the pressure on as they went 10 for 11 from the free throw line down the stretch.
Okoroh finished with a season low, missing 11 of his 13 shots while Daniel was able to get most of his points, compliments of the free throw line, where he converted 13 of 15. Â No other player scored in double figures for the Bison.
"These are the type of games when we need someone else to step up," said Nickelberry. Â "I am confident that the more we face these type of situations, they will."
Hampton got a team-high 16 from Maxwell and 14 from Darden.
NEXT UP: The Bison play Norfolk State in Norfolk, VA on Monday at 7:30 pm while the Pirates host Maryland Eastern Shore at 8 pm.
