Norfolk, VA—Victoria Gonzales scored 10 of her game-high 25 in the fourth quarter, including the two free throws that proved to be the difference as Howard held off Norfolk State, 64-63 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's game at Echols Hall. 

The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Lady Bison and avenged an earlier 110-108 double overtime loss to the Lady Spartans at home earlier this month. 

It appeared as the Bison would continue their scoring doldrums from the previous two games as they fell behind early and trailed 31-27 at the half. Gonzales made sure that her team would stay close as she scored 14 of her team's points. The two teams battled back and forth until Imani Bailey led a 10-0 run that gave the Bison their first lead at 40-39 at the 4:10 mark. 

From there, Howard (6-23, 4-12 in the MEAC) was back in the game despite trailing 49-48 at the end of the thrid quarter. 

The game continued its ebbs and flows in the fourth quarter until Howard was able to get a little breathing room at 62-57 with 1:30 remaining in the game. It was then Norfolk State's turn as Koryn Lawrence scored a basket and Siobhan Beslow knocked down four free throws. It gave the Norfolk State (2-23, 2-13 in the MEAC) a 63-62 lead with 42 seconds left. 

Howard failed to score on its possession, but was awarded the ball with 2.4 seconds remaining. Gonzales received the inbounds pass under her basket and was fouled with 0.5 seconds left. The 6-0 senior center calmly sank both free throws to give her team a 64-63 lead. 

Following a timeout, the Lady Spartans inbounded the ball and Kayla Roberts received the pass and threw up a 23-foot hook shot that banked off the glass and in as the buzzer went for what appeared to be the game-winning basket. 

The officials gathered and checked the replay monitor and after a few minutes, ruled the basket no good to help Howard escape with the hard-fought win. 

Gonzales, who did not play in the first meeting, added 13 rebounds, two blocks and three steals while Bailey 13 of her 17 after intermission. 

Norfolk State was led by Brehanna Daniels, who tallied 15 of her team-high 17 in the first half and Lawrence and Kayla Roberts, who each finished with 11. 

NEXT UP: Howard finishes the regular season and awaits the pairings for the MEAC Tournament next week in Norfolk.