SAVANNAH, Ga. (January 15, 2018) – Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University Men's Basketball team dropped a tough contest at Savannah State (SSU), 91-90, inside Tiger Arena.
 
HU (3-17, 0-4 MEAC) shot a respectable 46-percent (31-of-67) from the floor, including 47-percent (14-of-30) from long range. Howard outrebounded the Tigers, 48-41, but could not overcome 21 turnovers, which led to 19 points.
 
"I am extremely proud of these guys," said Nickelberry. "We've battled bigger and more experienced frontlines with sometimes two freshmen, two walk-ons, and a sophomore on the court. I feel awful because I know they gave everything they got."
 
Sophomore Charles Williams and freshman RJ Cole each finished with 27 points. Williams went 10-of-17 from the field while connecting seven trey balls. Cole, who's fighting through a hamstring, added eight boards, four dimes, and two steals in a losing effort.
 
"RJ [Cole] had a solid game despite a hamstring," Nickelberry continued. "He filled the stat sheet while facing double teams all night."
 
With under 10 minutes remaining, SSU's Dexter McClanahan made a layup and gave the Tigers a 72-63 advantage. Howard battled back and sliced the margin as low as one on multiple occasions.
 
Cole drilled a long ball and gave the Bison their first lead of the half, 82-81, with 4:29 left. HU held the lead until SSU's Alante Fenner made a jumper, 87-86, at the 2:19 mark and placed Savannah State ahead.
 
Howard regained the upper hand after several freebies from senior Dalique Mingo. In the waning moments, Fenner delivered the go-ahead layup with 35 ticks remaining, 91-90.
 
In his first collegiate start, sophomore Ibrahim Dosunmu recorded his first-career double-double with 11 boards and 10 points. Mingo added nine points and six assists (team-high) in the loss.
 
"Ibrahim [Dosunmu] had a great game," Nickelberry stated. "This was his first time playing extended minutes. He provided energy on both ends of the floor."
 
Savannah State held its largest lead of the game after a layup from Jahir Cabeza, 24-14, with more than 12 minutes before intermission.
 
Howard gradually fought their way back into the game. With less than five minutes before intermission, Williams made a trey ball and put the Bison ahead, 37-35. Both squads went back-and-forth to close out the period, but the Tigers held a 53-49 advantage at the break.
 
For SSU (6-13, 3-1 MEAC), Fenner produced a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Dexter McClanahan netted 22 points in the victory.
 
Howard comes home for another pair of big tests.
 
Saturday (Jan. 20), the Bison host North Carolina Central at 4 p.m. Monday (Jan. 22), HU meets North Carolina A&T State inside The Burr. Tip-off at 7:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.