Mount Pleasant, MI---James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III scored a game-high 19 points and Damon Collins added 14, but it was not enough to overcome a second half three-point barrage as the Bison fell 72-52 to Central Michigan in a non-conference men's game at the McGuirk Arena.

Howard (7-6) was able to hang close with the Chippewas (6-5) through the first 20 minutes despite twice trailing by as many as 10. Daniel, the nation's leading scorer at 29 points per game, and Collins combined for 25 of their team's points en route to a 36-31 deficit.

With the team already undermanned due to injuries, Howard could ill afford to get into foul trouble. It happened when Solomon "Solo" Mangham picked up three first half fouls and forced Coach Kevin Nickelberry to go with youth against the experienced Chippewas.

"The one thing that we said in the pregame was that we could not afford to have our post people in foul trouble," noted Nickelberry. "When Solo (Solomon Mangham) got his third foul in the first half it hurt, but when he picked up his fourth early in the second, it was really huge." Mangham came into the game averaging eight rebounds per game but managed only two in 15 minutes of play.

It carried over and Central Michigan used the momentum to reel off a 13-0 run to start the second half that all but determined the outcome. John Simons and Rayshawn Simmons did most of the damage, Simons with his fifth and sixth three pointers of the game and Rayshawn Simmons with all of his 11 after the break.

With Daniel scoring a season low two points in the second half, the Bison had no answer for Central Michigan, which is undefeated at home this season.

"They did a good job of shrinking the floor and forcing other people to beat them," said Nickelberry of the Chippeas' strategy. "There was a key point just before the half when we were up by three, we sub and then they go up by six. That was huge."

The Chippewas connected on six of 13 from beyond the arc, including the first three in a row to start the half.

The Bison, playing extended minutes with freshmen Cameron Lewis, Jalen Jones and Saleem Little, were not nearly as efficient. The trio combined for 10 points and 11 rebounds.

"We have to do a better job of making adjustments until JT (James Miller) and Marcel (Boyd) get back," said Nickelberry. "Everyone is now scouting us and it is going to get even more challenging as we move forward. We just have to do a better job."

Daniel and Collins combined to shoot 10 for 29 from the floor while the rest of the team made only seven of 27.

Central Michigan got a team-high 18 from Simons, 14 from Meyer and 11 each for Simmons and Chris Fowler.

The Chippewas held a 45-30 advantage on the boards and shot 46 percent from three-point range in the second half.

The Bison continue to shoot the ball well from the free throw line (84 percent on 16 of 19). Daniel hit his first five free throws to extend his streak to 40 before he missed. He has now made 43 of his last 44.

NEXT UP: The Bison have a few days off before taking on Columbia on the road, December 28 at 7 pm.

Click Here for Box Score