Baltimore, MD—James "JC" Carlton scored a game-high 27 points and James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III added 18 to lead Howard (13-12, 7-4 MEAC) to an easy 77-60 win over Coppin State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at the Physical Education Activity Center.  The win gives the Bison a sweep of the Eagles.
                 
The game was competitive in the early going as the two teams went back and forth.  There were five ties and 14 lead changes in the first stanza. The Eagles (5-20, 4-8 MEAC) relied heavily on the three-point basket for their points, connecting on seven off 13 from beyond the arc.
                 
The Bison relied on Carlton and his ability to score in the paint area.  The 6-8 senior forward from Winterville, NC made four of five from the field and from the free throw line for 12 points while Daniel added 10 on two of two from three-point land.  The duo set the tone for what was ahead, combining for all of the points during a 7-0 run to close out the half.
                 
While the Eagles shot well from beyond the arc, the Bison were able to dominate up front, going to the free throw line 16 times as well as winning the battle in the paint, 16-4.
                 
"During that first timeout, I talked about winning the battle," said Howard Coach Nickelberry.  "They had the edge early with the thing that they do best, and that is shoot the three.  I told the guys that it was our time to win the battle by closing out on them and making them take difficult shots and for us to get the ball inside.  We did a good job from there by following the game plan of rebounding, playing tough defense and getting the ball to the basket."
                 
Using the end of the first half as momentum, Howard came out with a 13-5 spurt that opened the game's biggest lead at 51-36 at the 15:44 mark
                 
Carlton, Daniel and James "JT" Miller made sure that the Eagles would not get back in the game as they took turns scoring the basketball.
                 
"JC makes things easy for us," noted Nickelberry.  "He can score in different ways, so when you help out on him, J-Byrd is able to get going.  And then, the other part of the three-headed monster, JT (James Miller) hurts you with is drives to the basket."  Miller finished with 10 points on 5 of 8 from the field.
                 
The Eagles, who rank among the nation's best in three point shots made, connected on 11 of 27 for 40 percent, but the Bison outrebounded them, 40-20 and held an edge in points in the paint (32-14) and in second chance points (12-3).
                 
Coppin State was led Taariq Cephas with 18 points and Sterling Smith with 17.
                 
Also contributing to the Bison victory were Damon Miller (7 rebounds, 2 steals) and reserves Keon Hill, Jared Norsworthy and Oliver Ellison.
                 
"It seems like Keon always gives us a spark when he comes into the game," said Nickelberry.  "That basket he made was a tough one and it helped get us going.  I thought Nors (Jared Norsworthy) and Oliver (Ellison) also made big contributions.  They are beginning to step up and that's what we need as we move forward."
                 
Carlton recorded his seventh double-double (27 points, 13 rebounds) of the season while Daniel is getting ever so close to the 1,000-point plateau.  The sophomore guard from Hampton, VA needs 10 points.  It would make him the first player in school history to reach that mark in his second season.
 
NEXT UP: Howard will attempt to win its second straight when it travels to Princess Anne, MD to take on the Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore at 7:30 pm