WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard University women's basketball team is set to host Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rival on Monday, Jan. 16 in Burr Gymnasium. Tipoff is marked for 2 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bison (6-8, 2-0 MEAC) stepped up to the challenge to secure a 72-71 win over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon. Howard had five players in double figures, led by redshirt senior Te'Shya Heslip with 16 points. She also paced the team in assists (8), rebounds (6) and steals (5). Senior Sydni Johnson chipped in 15 points and four boards.
Freshman Sarah Edmond sank a career-high four three pointers and was 5-of-7 from the floor on her way to a career-best 14 points and five rebounds. Senior Jasmine Hill put up 11 points, followed by redshirt junior Erin Blaine with 10 points.
Although Howard shot 42.2 percent (27-64) from the field, the Bison managed to tally 18 assists on their 27 baskets. HU also outscored the Hawks in the paint, 22-18, and came up with 14 second chance points.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Coppin State is making the trip down to Washington, D.C. with a 3-13 overall record and 3-1 mark in the MEAC. The Eagles are coming off a 65-57 win over North Carolina A&T on Saturday night. Keena Samuels paced the squad with a game-high 17 points.
Genesis Lucas is CSU's leading scorer and seventh in the MEAC standings with 13.0 ppg, followed by Samuels in 10th (12.3). Lucas also ranks third in assists (4.0) and fourth in steals (2.7). Chance Graham is averaging a team-best 7.5 rpg, which is sixth in the conference.
ANOTHER MEAC HONOR
For the third time this season, Heslip was tabbed as the MEAC Co-Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. The Dumfries, Va. native tallied the second triple-double of her career when she posted 12 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out 14 assists against FAMU. Heslip added six points, eight rebounds and eight assists in just the second half.
GOING STREAKING
The Bison are currently riding a four-game win streak, including a pair of victories on their home court in the nation's capital. In the quartet of triumphs, Howard is averaging 69.7 points.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Heslip has been Howard's leader on both sides of the ball this season. She is averaging 4.15 steals, which puts her fourth among the NCAA Division I statistical leaders. Her 59 total thefts ranks 12th and 5.5 apg is 40th. She has a team-best 16.1 ppg and leads the MEAC in free throw percentage (77.5), steals and assists.
CLIMBING THE RANKS
In her final season, Johnson is well on her way to cementing her place in Howard's record books. She crossed the 500-rebound plateau on Dec. 16 against NJIT, bringing her career total to 526 boards. The Homewood, Ill. native also has 944 points thus far.
HOWARD IN THE MEAC
As a team, the Bison have the second-best scoring offense in the league, averaging 63.6 ppg. Howard also checks in at No. 2 in free throw percentage (70.0) and assists (12.4), while coming in fourth in steals (9.9) and field goal percentage (36.8).
