YPSILANTI, Mich. (November 18, 2017) – Howard University Men's Basketball team came up short at Eastern Michigan (EMU), 76-66, despite solid performances from guards RJ Cole and Charles Williams. The contest is part of the Indiana Tip-Off Classic.
 
Collectively, the Bison (0-4) shot a respectable 40-percent (23-of-57) from the floor; however, Howard was outrebounded on the glass, 47-26.
 
"This game was more of the same about rebounding effectively," said Howard Men's Basketball head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "After not having our two centers [Tyler Williams and Michael Obindu] all year, we have struggled in that area."
 
Williams had a team-high 18 points in 34 minutes of action while Cole filled the stat sheet with 15 points, seven assists, five boards, and four steals.
 
Williams' jumper gave HU an 11-7 advantage early until the Eagles went on an 11-0 spurt and took a seven-point lead at the 11:51 mark, 18-11.
 
A pair of free throws by EMU's Elijah Minnie increased the Eagles lead to double-digits, 23-13.
 
Freshman Kyle Foster made all three free throws before intermission, but the Eagles held a 41-26 lead into halftime.
 
Redshirt junior Jalen Jones had a team-best nine rebounds and seven points in a losing effort.
 
Jones' tip-in cut the deficit to 10 points, 42-30, but EMU responded a 14-6 run and held a 20-point advantage with 12:38 remaining.
 
HU gradually chipped away at the deficit, but the Eagles answered with runs of their own. With under a minute left, redshirt Nate Garvey connected on a trey ball and put the contest at single-digits, but a layup from Paul Jackson gave the Eagles a double-digit win.
 
"We started and finished in this game, but didn't do a great job in between" Nickelberry added. "We also didn't shoot the ball well from three against the size in there match up zone. That's something I believe will come around with more game experience with this young group."
 
For Eastern Michigan, they remain perfect on the young season (4-0). James Thompson IV recorded a double-double, posting 18 points and 14 boards. Minnie had a game-high 21 points while Jackson chipped in 16 points in the victory.
 
Monday, the Bison take a trip down to Jonesboro, Ark. where Arkansas State awaits. Game-time is slated for 8 p.m. The game is part of the Indiana Tip-Off Classic.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.