Women's Basketball | 2/10/2017 2:59:00 PM
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
HAMPTON, Va. – The Howard University women's basketball team is set to clash with rival Hampton in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchup on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. in the HU Convocation Center.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bison (10-11, 6-3 MEAC) are looking to snap a two-game road skid after dropping a 75-54 decision to Bethune-Cookman on Monday. Senior Sydni Johnson had 11 points and eight rebounds, while freshman Jayla Myles also tallied 11 points and pulled down six boards. Redshirt junior Erin Blaine finished with eight points and nine rebounds.
As a team, the Bison earned 11 assists on 18 baskets and posted 20 points off of the Lady Wildcats' 22 turnovers. Howard also had 17 second-chance points.
SCOUTING THE LADY PIRATES
Hampton is coming into the contest with a 14-9 overall record and 8-2 mark in MEAC play after holding on for a 51-50 victory over South Carolina State on Monday. Malia Tate-Defreitas leads the team in scoring (17.2 ppg) and assists (3.4). Monnazjea Finney-Smith is averaging 11.0 points and shooting a team-high 79.0 percent at the free throw line.
SERIES HISTORY
Hampton leads the all-time series with Howard, 33-21, after the two teams split a pair of games last season. The Bison topped the Lady Pirates at home, 83-77, in overtime before falling, 77-48, in Hampton.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Heslip has been Howard's leader on both sides of the ball this season. She is averaging 4.1 steals, which puts her third among the NCAA Division I statistical leaders. Her 86 total thefts ranks seventh and 5.0 assists is 55th. She leads the MEAC in steals and assists, while checking in second in free throw percentage (79.1) and third in scoring with a team-high 15.4 points.
BISON IN CONFERENCE PLAY
Through nine MEAC contests, Heslip, Johnson and Blaine are averaging double figures for Howard. In conference action, Heslip is putting up 14.1 ppg, followed by Johnson (14.0) and Blaine (11.3). Johnson is shooting a team-best 47.7 percent from the floor and Heslip is connecting on 80.0 percent (32-40) of her free throws. Blaine paces the team in rebounding (7.4).
CHARITY STRIPE LIVING
The Bison have done a good job of making trips to the free throw line count. Howard is converting free throws at a 67.7 percent rate, making 285 of 421 attempts. The mark is currently second the conference.
HOWARD IN THE MEAC
As a team, the Bison have the best scoring offense in the league, averaging 62.9 points per game. Howard also checks in at No. 2 in free throw percentage (67.7), third in assists (12.2) and fourth in field goal percentage (36.5) and steals (10.0).
