WASHINGTON (December 17, 2017) – After snapping their three-game skid Thursday (Dec. 14), Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University Men's Basketball team open its five-game road trip in Jacksonville, Ala. where the Jacksonville State (JSU) Gamecocks await. Monday's showdown starts 8 p.m. (ET) / 7 p.m. (CT).
 
Fans can follow all the action via live stats, live radio, or OVC DIGITAL NETWORK.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
Last year, HU fell to Jacksonville State, 72-59, inside The Burr. Charles Williams scored 13 of his team-high 18 points in the second half while Dalique Mingo contributed all of his 12 after intermission.
 
"Jacksonville State will be one of the more talented teams we've played all year," Nickelberry stated. "They are an experienced team that plays well on both sides of the ball. They are physical on defense and shoot it extremely well on offense."
 
For HU (2-10), they snapped their three-game losing streak with a 76-65 win over Washington Adventist Thursday (Dec. 14). Howard looks to build momentum with only four contests left before conference play (Jan. 3). Freshman RJ Cole, three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week, and Williams, Preseason All-MEAC First Team honoree, are the lone Bison averaging double-figures in points while newcomer Zion Cousins leads the club in rebounding (7.4 RPG).
 
"We will definitely have to put two halves together to get a win on the road," Nickelberry continued. "Heading into this tough road trip, we need to improve our rebounding so that we can get out and run and execute better in the half court."
 
Jacksonville State (8-3) enters Monday after a 77-61 victory over USC-Upstate Saturday (Dec. 16). With only two games remaining before defending their league championship, JSU seeks to remain unbeaten inside the Pete Mathews Coliseum (5-0). Four Gamecocks average double-figures in points, led by Malcom Drumwright (14.8 PPG).
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
On Dec. 14, the Bison held off crosstown foe Washington Adventist, 76-65, inside Burr Gymnasium. With the win, HU snapped its three-game skid.
 
Overall, Howard shot 48-percent (25-of-52) from the floor and eclipsed an 83-percent (20-of-24) mark at the charity stripe.
 
Cole and Williams guided the Bison attack. Cole led all scorers with a career-high 30 points, including a perfect 10-of-10 at the foul line, while Williams went 10-of-19 from the field and finished with 24 points in the victory.
 
Cousins filled the stat sheet, registering a game-high 10 boards, seven points, five blocks, two steals, and two dimes.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
HU continues its road swing at the Weststar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational in El Paso, Texas. Howard begins the four-squad tourney against the host team, UTEP, on Thursday (Dec. 21). Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. (ET) / 7 p.m. (MT).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.