Daytona Beach, FL—There will be a lot on the line when the improving Howard University men's basketball team takes on the Wildcats of Bethune Cookman University tonight at 7:30 pm in Moore Gymnasium.  Following Saturday's 59-50 win over Florida A&M, a victory over Bethune Cookman will give the Bison (9-10, 3-2 MEAC) a chance to reach the .500 mark this deep in the season for the first time in over a decade.  Moreover, it would also mark the first time that the team has swept the Florida teams in more than 8 years.
                 
"The second part of this trip give us a chance to sweep a road trip, something we have not done in many years," said Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry.  "It also keeps us in the mix as far as league standings go."
                 
With a team made up mostly of freshmen last season, Howard got on top of Bethune Cookman early, but got rattled by the BCU crowd before succumbing 58-47 to the Wildcats in the small, but loud gymnasium.
                 
"Because of how close the fans are to the bench and how loud it gets, Bethune is one of the hardest road arenas we will play in all year," explained Nickelberry.  "Last year, we did not handle that atmosphere well at all and got beat pretty good.  Hopefully, we are a year older and we will respond with enough composure to come away with a win."
                 
In the victory over FAMU, the Bison got enough scoring from two of the Big Three.  James "J-Byrd" Daniel and James "JC" Carlton combined for 34 points and James "JT" Miller chipped in with eight points and four assists.  But it was some other unusual suspects who aided in the success.  Reserve red-shirt sophomore point guard Keon Hill came off the bench to hit two key three pointers-one coming in each half—that helped stop Rattler runs.
                 
Sophomore Damon Collins was also key as he scored nine points, grabbed 6 rebounds and had two assists, two steals and a blocked shot in one of his best all-around performances of his career.  And red-shirt junior center Oliver Ellison brought some extra energy with his play, especially on the defensive end.
                 
"I've said all along that for us to be successful, we have to have other people besides the usual suspects step up," said Nickelberry.  "That is what you saw against FAMU.  We just need to continue it."
                 
The Wildcats (6-14, 2-4 MEAC) are coming off a 74-70 home to Maryland Eastern Shore, are led by Brandon Stewart (14.0 ppg), Quintin Brewer (7.1 rebounds) and Ricky Johnson (10.0 ppg).  They are 3-5 at home this season and are only averaging a little over 58 points per game.  Bethune Cookman has won four in a row from Howard, but the Bison lead the series, 43-22.


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