WASHINGTON (December 6, 2017) – After a brief two-game home stand, Coach
Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University Men's Basketball team hit the road where they will challenge undefeated Georgetown (GU) inside the Capital One Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Fox Sports 1.
Fans can also follow the action via
live stats or 106.7 WJFK-FM.
MATCHUP PREVIEW
Howard (1-8) enters Thursday's showdown splitting their last two home games. HU earned its first win of the season by defeating Central Penn, 81-64, but fell Monday night versus Penn, 81-68. Despite the setbacks, Coach Nickelberry remains confident in his young squad.
"We are showing glimpses of what we can possibly be on offense and defense," Nickelberry stated. "But as a young team, we have to learn how to maintain it and that will come with time."
Some of the glimpses on both ends of the floor come from sophomore
Charles Williams and freshmen
RJ Cole and
Zion Cousins. Tuesday (Dec. 5), the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) revealed its men's basketball weekly honors where HU swept all three awards.
Williams took home MEAC Player of the Week while Cole earned top rookie honors and Cousins claimed best defender.
"This young group has had some good moments against some quality teams this year," Nickelberry added. "We will have to put together two halves against a big and physical team like Georgetown and do a better job rebounding."
Georgetown (6-0) come in looking to extend its winning streak as they prepare for a big matchup against long-time rival Syracuse (Dec. 16). First-year head coach and Hoyas alum Patrick Ewing has taken over the program after long-time head man John Thompson III. Ewing's bunch has played a home friendly schedule with their first five out of six contests were played inside the Capital One Arena. GU is led by Jessie Govan, Marcus Derrickson, and Kaleb Johnson.
LAST TIMEOUT
Monday (Dec. 4), the Bison dropped its home contest against the University of Penn, 81-68, inside Burr Gymnasium.
Despite only shooting 36-percent (23-of-64) from the field, HU (1-8) shot 77-percent (17-of-22) at the charity stripe. Additionally, the Bison were unable to keep Penn off the glass as they were outrebounded, 50-36.
Cole and Williams combined for 44 points. Cole had a team-high 24 points, including three trey balls, while Williams netted 20 points and eight boards in the loss.
Cousins racked up his second double-double of the season, posting 11 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Saturday (Dec. 9), HU stays in the D.C. area where they face American. Game-time is slated for 4 p.m. at Bender Arena.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
