WASHINGTON (December 20, 2017) – Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University Men's Basketball team continue its road trip in El Paso, Texas at the Weststar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.
 
Thursday (Dec. 21), Howard begins the four-squad tourney against the host team, UTEP. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. (ET) / 7 p.m. (MT). North Dakota State (NDSU) and UNC-Wilmington (UNCW) open the event at 7 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (MT).
 
Fans can follow all the action versus UTEP via live stats.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEWS
 
HOWARD
 
For HU (2-11), they are seeking their first road win of the season (0-10) while looking to bounce back from a tough road loss at Jacksonville State, 62-60. Howard looks to build momentum with only three contests left before conference play (Jan. 3). Freshman RJ Cole, four-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week, and sophomore Charles 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 (7.6 RPG).
 
"We've played a really tough schedule," said Nickelberry. "We've had a tough year, very competitive. Our guys have been competitive, it's just us putting two halves together."
 
UTEP
 
UTEP (4-6) enters the tournament riding a three-game winning streak. With only eight scholarship players available due to injuries and illness, the Miners upended Incarnate Word Tuesday (Dec. 19), 72-66, at the Haskins Center. UTEP is led by Keith Frazier (13.4 PPG) and Omega Harris (12.7 PPG).
 
"UTEP is a totally different style," Nickelberry continued. "Phil [Johnson] has done an unbelievable job piecing that team together and putting in a totally different style. The dribble drive is hard to guard and it's going to be challenge for us because they're a well-coached team."
 
NORTH DAKOTA STATE
 
NDSU (5-6) has never played UNCW, HU or UTEP. North Dakota State meets the Seahawks Thursday (Dec. 21) at 7 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (MT). NDSU is one of just 21 Division I teams that have at least two active 1,000-point scorers: seniors Paul Miller and A.J. Jacobson. Furthermore, only seven Division I teams are attempting fewer free throws per game than NDSU this season.
 
UNC-WILMINGTON
 
Sunday (Dec. 17), UNCW (2-7) drew the short end of a 90-84 score to Furman at Trask Coliseum. The matinee loss extended UNCW's winless string to six games. Despite the sluggish start, the Seahawks have featured several bright spots early in the new season. Senior playmaker Jordon Talley is enjoying an outstanding final year and junior forward Devontae Cacok continues to elevate his game.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
Monday (Dec. 18), the Bison fell short at Jacksonville State, 62-60, inside the Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
Overall, the club shot under 40-percent (22-of-56); however, eclipsed 50-percent (10-of-20) from downtown. Additionally, the Bison outrebounded Jacksonville State, 37-31; however, the biggest difference came at the free throw line. JSU went to the charity stripe 12 more times while shooting 81-percent (17-of-21).
 
Cole led all scorers with 27 points on 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. The New Jersey product also racked up seven dimes and three steals in 40 minutes of action.
 
Williams and freshman Kyle Foster each finished with 11 points while Cousins grabbed a game-high eight boards in a losing effort.
 
2017 WESTSTAR BANK DON HASKINS SUN BOWL INVITATIONAL PAIRINGS
 
Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017
7 p.m. ET – UNCW Vs. North Dakota State
9 p.m. ET – UTEP vs. Howard
 
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017
7 p.m. ET – Consolation Game
9 p.m. ET – Championship Game
 
"Our guys are really excited," Nickelberry stated. "There's quality teams and coaches and this tournament is important for us to take the next step."
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Depending upon HU's outcome against the Miners, the Bison will play either North Dakota State or UNC-Wilmington Friday (Dec. 22). Time to be determined.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.