ATLANTA, GA --- Strong performances from junior forward Sydni Johnson and senior center Victoria Gonzales came in a losing effort for the Howard women's basketball team as the Bison fell to the Mercer University Bear, 70-53, on the final day of the Georgia State Thanksgiving Classic Sunday afternoon at the GSU Sports Arena.

Johnson matched the game-high of 17 points while adding six rebounds, two steals and an assist. Her double-digit output marked the fifth time in Howard's seven contests that Johnson has scored ten or more - second on the team. Gonzales, who was named to the All-Classic Team finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. The Atlanta native averaged 18.5 PPG and 11.5 RPG during the two-day event and scored in double digits for the sixth time - tops on the team despite missing one game so far.

The Bison (0-7) led in the opening minutes after a three-pointer from redshirt freshman Essence Brown gave HU a 3-2 edge over Mercer (4-2) but the Bears regained the lead for good on the next possession. Howard fought to keep the game within single digits throughout the entire first half before falling behind by double digits in the second half.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT: While Howard was unable to generate many trips to the free throw line, the Bison capitalized on the ones they made. HU went a perfect 6-of-6 from the line, its best percentage on at least five attempts since going 10-of-11 (.909) at Cornell on January 7, 2015.

NEXT UP
Howard will come back to DC to face La Salle University on Wednesday, December 2 at 7 p.m.