Norfolk, Va---The Howard University men's basketball team, fresh off a grueling 79-73 win over Coppin State, the Number 6 seed in the opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament, will look to atone for a disappointing season when it takes on Morgan State University in the quarterfinal round on Thursday at 6 pm in the Norfolk Scope.
The Bison (9-23), the Number 11 seed coming into the tournament, withstood injuries and foul trouble to outlast the Eagles of Coppin State in a game that featured 104 foul shots and lasted almost three hours.
Howard got an all-around team effort, some from the usual suspects and some surprise contributions from reserve players. Seniors Damon Collins and Solomon "Solo" Mangham got the team off to a good start and helped the Bison take the early comfortable lead.
Howard was able to build on its lead early in the second half on the scoring of MEAC Rookie of the Year Charles "CJ" Williams and senior guard James "JT" Miller. After building an 18-point lead, Howard began to get in foul trouble and it affected its depth. Reserves sophomore center Cameron Lewis, senior guard Kofi Andoh, red-shirt sophomore forward Jalen Jones and senior guard Chuck Smith all contributed in some way to help hold Coppin State at bay.
Still, the Eagles made one last run that cut the deficit to six with adequate time left on the clock. Then came the play of the game. Williams, who led the team in scoring this season, but who struggled all night, hit a long three-point bomb with the shot clock winding down that proved to be a dagger as the Eagles never recovered.
For good measure, Miller and senior reserve forward Tyler Stone converted key free throws to salt away the victory.
"I have said it all along that this team is resilient," said Howard University head coach Kevin Nickelberry, who admits to enduring one of the most challenging seasons of his coaching career. "We have had injuries, personal losses and adversity, but through it all this team has stayed together. The win was a tribute to that."
In Morgan State (14-15), the Bison face the Number 3 seed and a formidable opponent. The two teams met once during the regular season and the Bison prevailed, 70-67 at Howard. The Bears enter the game, having won four of their last five. They are led by Tiwian Kendley with 21.2 points per game, Phillip Carr at 16.8 points and almost 10 rebounds a game and Kyle Thomas with 10.2 points.
The game will be live streamed on ESPN3.
The winner advances to the semifinal round on Friday against the winner of the Norfolk State-South Carolina State.
Game Notes:
