New Brunswick, NJ---Howard University will be looking to rebound from a tough loss in 24 hours when it takes on the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers in the Men Who Speak Up Main Event at the RAC (8,000). The game will be televised live on Big Ten Network Plus with Kevin Fitzgerald calling the play by play and Dick Lloyd providing color commentary.
The Bison (0-1) put up a valiant effort in the loss to the Minutemen, leading most of the game until foul trouble set in and allowed the hosts to escape with an 85-79 victory. Junior guard James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III showed why he is one of the top guards in the country and backcourt mate, junior guard James "JT" put everyone on notice that he is a force to be reckoned with.
A 5-11, 165-pound native of Hampton, VA, Daniel poured in a game-high 30 points while adding five assists and recording a career-best nine steals in what was perhaps his best all-around performance at the collegiate level.
Miller, a 6-4 guard from Clinton, NC complemented Daniel with 27 points on 11 of 19 shooting from the floor and seven rebounds.
The Bison also got a sterling performance from red-shirt junior center
Marcel Boyd, who grabbed 11 rebounds for a game high and junior guard
Damon Collins, who had another one of his all-around games, scoring seven points, grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists.
Howard was hurt in the second half by foul trouble as they were whistled for 31 infractions that resulted in 44 free throw attempts by UMass. Three Bison players fouled out.
The Scarlet Knights (1-0) are coming off a 72-59 win over Rutgers-Newark on Friday. In that game, the Rutgers bench was the difference. Junior forward Deshawn Freeman scored 13 off the bench and DJ Foreman added 10 points and six rebounds.
Scarlet Knights head coach Eddie Jordan, a Rutgers alum, has ties to the Washington, DC area, having starred at Archbishop Carroll High School and also having coached the Washington Wizards for a short stint.
NEXT UP: Howard opens its home season at the Burr on Friday when it hosts Medgar Evers College at 6 pm.
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