WASHINGTON, DC --- Despite standout efforts from redshirt junior
Te'Shya Heslip and senior center
Victoria Gonzales, the Howard women's basketball team suffered a 83-67 home defeat against the Coppin State Lady Eagles Saturday afternoon in Burr Gymnasium.
Heslip led the Bison (3-13, 1-2 MEAC) with 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting and added six rebounds, a pair of steals and an assist. It marked the first time Heslip reached double digits in a game since netting 18 against Cornell on January 7, 2015.
Gonzales added 18 points, including the 1,000th point of her four-year career. Gonzales reached the milestone after hitting the first of two free throws with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter of the game.
"It is really a blessing to see my hard work pay off," Gonzales said of reaching the mark. "This isn't the end of the road for me - I have so much more to give. Reaching this milestone is one of the greatest feelings I've ever had."
After today's outing, the Atlanta native now has 1,007 points in her career (56 as a freshman, 321 as a sophomore, 334 as a junior, 296 as a senior).
Head Coach
Ty Grace applauded the efforts of her veteran leader: "I am very proud of Vic. This is a great accomplishment for her, given how extremely hard she works. Vic has earned and deserves all the accolades she's received."
Gonzales became the sixth player since 1998-99 to reach the 1,000 mark and the first since former teammate Saadia Doyle accomplished the feat during the 2012-13 season - Gonzales' freshman year.
The five players to reach the mark during that span:
-Â Â Â Â Saadia Doyle / 2009-13 / 1,831
-Â Â Â Â Shannon Carlisle / 2003-07 / 1,074
-Â Â Â Â Daisha Hicks / 2001-05 / 1,084
-Â Â Â Â Asia Petty / 1999-03 / 1,460
-Â Â Â Â Andrea Gardner / 1998-02 / 1,353
However, a return to form from Heslip and a crowning achievement from Gonzales were not enough to keep Coppin State (5-9, 2-0 MEAC) at bay. The visiting Lady Eagles - who extended their win streak to three games with today's victory - never trailed in the game, pushing their lead to double figures late in the second quarter and fighting off any attempts by Howard to rally in the second half.
Gonzales finished with a team high eight rebounds to go along with her 18 points while junior guard
Jasmine Hill (nine points, three rebounds) & junior forward
Sydni Johnson (seven points, five rebounds) also made solid contributions.
NEXT UPHoward will hit the road to face Delaware State on Monday, January 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Dover, Delaware.
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