PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Howard women's basketball team could not overcome a late push by Brown for an 83-78 loss on Friday night to open the 2016-17 season at Pizzitola Sports Center.

Redshirt senior Te'Shya Heslip led the charge for the Bison with a game-high 23 points, which included five three-pointers. She also added nine assists and five steals.

Redshirt junior Erin Blaine scored a career-high 17 points and went 6-for-6 from the free throw line, while rookie Asia McCants tallied double digits with 10 points in her debut. Senior Sydni Johnson, a Preseason All-MEAC Third Team selection, pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.

After Brown (1-0) went ahead 7-5 to open the game, Howard (0-1) posted seven straight points for a 12-7 edge and closed the first quarter on an 8-1 run to bring the score to 26-15.

Freshman Imani Bryant helped the Bison to a 10-point advantage with a smooth layup to get the second quarter underway. The Bears managed to pull within five but Heslip connected four times from beyond the arc to send Howard into the locker room with a 43-36 lead.

Brown started the second half on a 15-2 run to go up 51-45. The Bison responded with 10 unanswered points to take a 63-57 lead with 6:50 left, which featured a pair of three-pointers from Blaine and McCants. Howard extended its advantage to 70-63 until the Bears turned the tables for a 75-74 lead, which they held onto for the victory.

The Bison continue their seven-game road trip at West Virginia on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.