WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard University women's basketball team will step onto the court in Burr Gymnasium for the first time in 2017 when it begins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) action on Wednesday, Jan. 4 against Florida A&M at 5 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
For the first time this season, redshirt junior Erin Blaine led the team in scoring with 15 points in Howard's dominant second half surge to defeat Vermont, 64-57, on Friday.
Senior Jasmine Hill chipped in 13 points, five assists and four boards. Rookie Imani Bryant grabbed seven rebounds to go along with nine points, four steals and two blocks.
Friday's game was the first time this season that redshirt senior Te'Shya Heslip did not reach double figures in scoring as she finished the afternoon with seven points, six rebounds, six steals and five assists. Senior Sydni Johnson and freshman Jayla Myles had six points apiece.
Howard tallied 15 assists on 23 baskets and scored 20 points off of Vermont's 21 turnovers. The Bison crowded the paint to outscore the Catamounts, 32-22. HU also posted 17 second chance points and 14 points off fast breaks.
SCOUTING THE LADY RATTLERS
FAMU is hoping to start the New Year out on the right foot after taking down Stillman in overtime, 69-59, on Dec. 30 to close out the month. The Lady Rattlers are currently 2-11 on the season.
Florence Ouattara is the only player averaging double figures with a team-leading 10.8 ppg. Shakerrya Morrison is pulling down 7.8 rpg and adding 8.3 ppg.
RACKING UP THE HONORS
Once again, freshman Imani Bryant was tabbed as the MEAC Rookie of the Week the conference announced on Monday. It was the fourth time she received the weekly honor. She has also been named Defensive Player of the Week twice.
Bryant shot 57.1 percent (4-7) from the floor to earn nine points and grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds, four of which came on the offensive glass, against Vermont. She also tallied four steals and two blocks in the victory.
LEADING THE CHARGE
Heslip can find her name making multiple appearances in the MEAC statistical rankings. With a team-best 16.4 points, she comes in at No. 4 while also leading the conference in steals (4.1).
Bryant is proving to be one of the best rookies in the league. She stands first in field goal percentage (59.3), third in rebounds (8.3) and sixth in blocked shots (1.8).
Blaine and Heslip are third (80.0) and fourth (78.6), respectively, in free throw percentage.
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 517 boards. The Homewood, Ill. native also has 917 points thus far.
CHARITY STRIPE LIVING
The Bison have done a good job of making trips to the free throw stripe count. Howard is converting free throws at a 69.8 percent clip, making 171 of 245 attempts. The mark currently stands second in the conference.
TEAM MEAC MARKS
When looking at the MEAC standings, the Bison check in at No. 2 in scoring offense as they average 62.2 ppg. HU currently averaging 11.5 assists and 9.8 steals through 12 games, which is third in the league. Howard also ranks fifth in field goal percentage (35.8) and three-point field goal percentage (26.5).
PRESEASON MEAC PREDICTIONS
The 2015-16 campaign was the first season under the direction of head coach Ty Grace. The Bison finished 11th in the conference last year after posting a 7-24 overall record and 4-12 mark in the MEAC. This season, Howard was picked to finish ninth in the MEAC preseason poll.
