BALTIMORE, MD --- Senior center Victoria Gonzales scored a team-high 20 points and senior guard Imani Bailey added 19 but it was not enough to overcome foul trouble and sterling free throw shooting from Morgan State as Howard fell to the host Bears, 78-66 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) action Saturday afternoon at Hill Fieldhouse.

The Bison (3-16, 1-5 MEAC) held a 57-51 lead at the end of the third quarter, mostly due to the scoring efforts of Gonzales and Bailey. However, the veteran duo struggled in the fourth, managing only one free throw.

Even with its primary options off their games, Howard was still able to stay close down the stretch until four players were called for technical fouls with 3:09 left in the contest. HU was hit the worst with the penalties, as Gonzales, redshirt freshman guard Essence Brown & Bailey were called for technicals and Bailey was ejected.

Morgan State (7-12, 5-2 MEAC) cashed in as Zuri White made all three of the free throws to help her team pull away.

In defeat, redshirt sophomore forward Erin Blaine played the best game of her Bison career. The transfer from Saint Francis (PA) posted her first double-digit scoring effort with 10 points of 4-of-7 shooting. Gonzales was efficient in her scoring as the Atlanta native went 6-of-8 from the field and 8-of-12 from the free throw line. Bailey was perfect from the line (6-of-6) and went 5-of-12 on field goals (including 3-of-7 from three point range).

NEXT UP
Howard will look to bounce back on Monday, February 1 with a matchup against Maryland Eastern Shore at 4 p.m. in Princess Anne, MD