DOVER, DE --- Senior center Victoria Gonzales led a quartet of Howard players in double figures but a late basket by Delaware State's Amber Bogard handed the Bison women's basketball team a stunning 87-86 loss Monday evening at Memorial Hall.

A game after reaching the 1,000 point plateau, Gonzales recorded the second 30-point game of her career against Delaware State, going for 32 points on 12-of-21 shooting and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. The total was one shy of her career mark, set this season at Mount St. Mary's on December 12. She also notched her sixth double-double of the year with a game high 12 rebounds.

Fellow senior Imani Bailey also had an outstanding game, setting a new career high with 20 points to go along with four assists and four steals. Junior forward Sydni Johnson and freshman guard Shaylon Tarver each added 10 points, with Johnson also registering a double-double with ten rebounds.

Even with four players tallying 10+ points for the third time this season, Howard (3-14, 1-3 MEAC) still found itself trailing Delaware State (4-11, 1-1 MEAC) the majority of the contest.

With DSU leading by 14 (60-46) with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter, the Bison began to work their way back into the game. over the next 12-plus minutes - until the final ten seconds of the game - Howard would outscore Delaware State 40-25 and take its first lead of the game (86-85) with nine seconds left after a steal and pair of free throws by Tarver.

The Lady Hornets would take a timeout to set up their final possession and somehow were able to advance the ball the length of the court and into the hands of DSU's Bogard for the game-winning shot.

At first, the shot went to review by the officiating crew to ensure it was released in time. After a lengthy conference, the basket was confirmed and Howard's improbable comeback was dashed.

Howard's four-pronged attack was matched by DSU's N'Kayah Kersey (19 points), Najal Pollard (20 points), Bogard (14 points) and Mikah Aldridge (13 off the bench).

The defeat negated Howard's best volume free throw performance (24-of-27, .889, min. 10 FTA), largest rebounding output (46 total, +13 differential) and its highest steals total of the season (16).

NEXT UP
Howard will have off until it hosts Florida A&M on Saturday, January 23 at 2 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium.