New Brunswick, NJ---James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III scored a game-high 21 points and James "JT" Miller and Damon Miller added 14 and 10, respectively but it was not enough to overcome a second half spurt and strong bench play as Howard fell, 82-70 to Rutgers (2-0) in the Men Speak Up Main Event at the RAC.
           
The Bison (0-2) stayed close throughout on the scoring of Daniel, Collins and Kofi Andoh.  Trailing 35-27 at the half, Howard cut the deficit to three on three different occasions in the second half, but each time, the Scarlet Knights (2-0) would have an answer.  Deshawn Freeman, Corey Sanders and DJ Freeman took turns scoring key baskets or making free throws each time the Bison would try to put a dent in the deficit.
           
"Our guys gave as much effort as they could against a physical Big Ten team on the road," said Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry.  "If you would have told me that we would have the same number of field goals, the same number of three pointers made and less turnovers than them before the game, I probably would have thought that we had won the game.  But we experienced the same disparity in free throws again today and that was the difference in the game."
           
Daniel, who was shackled with three first half fouls, scored Howard's first three points of the second half but went scoreless over a substantial period. 
           
"Give Rutgers credit for making some adjustments," said Nickelberry.  "They trapped Daniel with two people in the second half to slow us down.  That is something we will have to address in practice this week." 

Collins, Andoh and Solomon Mangham took up the slack.  Collins came into the game averaging a little under five points while Andoh, a seldom-used player last season, had perhaps his best game to date with nine points and six rebounds.  Mangham came off the bench to score five points, all in the second half and three rebounds.
           
"Miller got in early foul trouble, but we were able to stay in the game with some good contributions from Andoh with his energy and (Solomon) Mangham making some key shots," noted Nickelberry.
 
           
In addition to Daniels' 21 points, the junior guard from Hampton, VA, added four assists and four steals.  Miller came alive late and finished with 14 after tallying 27 in Saturday's loss at UMass.
           
"I'm proud of these guys for coming in here and playing through some fatigue and frustration and never giving up in the second half despite playing back-to-back games

For Rutgers, Freeman had 17 points and 7 rebounds, Sanders 15 and Foreman with 13 points and 8 rebounds. The Scarlet Knights held a 41-16 advantage in points from the bench.
 
NEXT UP: The Bison return home to host Medgar Evers College on Friday at 6 pm in Burr Gymnasium.