WASHINGTON (January 20, 2018) – It took five extra minutes, but Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University Men's Basketball team grabbed its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win of the season by defeating North Carolina Central (NCCU) in overtime, 84-76, inside The Burr.
 
With the victory, HU gave N.C. Central its first conference loss of the year while knocking the Eagles out of first-place in the standings.
 
"These guys deserve this," said Nickelberry. "They're a young group. We got the same kind of shots like the last couple of games. CJ [Williams] made a big one down the stretch. We got some stops down the stretch and made some free throws down the stretch."
 
Howard (4-17, 1-4 MEAC) shot a respectable 43-percent (29-of-67) from the field while posting 70-percent (19-of-27) at the charity stripe.
 
"Tonight, was a tough, grind out game," said freshman guard RJ Cole. "We played one of the best teams in the league. We fought back, played together and won."
 
The duo of Cole and sophomore Charles Williams combined for 54 points. Cole led all scorers with 29 points while recording six dimes, three steals, and two boards.
 
"RJ Cole is a different level freshman," Nickelberry stated. "He was a game-time decision, maybe not playing with a hamstring, but scores 29 points, six rebounds, and three steals. He's playing at 75-percent against one of the most physical teams in the league."
 
Williams netted 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting in the victory.
 
N.C. Central's Pablo Rivas tied the game after a layup, 49-49, with less than 14 minutes remaining. From that point, the Eagles took control and outscored HU 10-3.
 
With under 10 minutes left, the Bison continued to battle back. At the 3:21 mark, HU reclaimed the lead with Cole's layup, 67-66, by a jumper from NCCU's Reginald McKnight, Jr. put the Eagles ahead again, 68-67.
 
Trailing by three with 1:24 remaining, 72-69, junior Cameron Lewis made the old-fashion three-point play and tied the game, 72-72, with less than a minute left.
 
Freshman Zion Cousins made two clutch freebies with 13 ticks remaining, 74-72, but a jumper from Reggie Gardner, Jr. sent the game in OT, 74-74.
 
In overtime, NCCU held the upper hand early, but Williams' jumper at the 3:09 mark put HU ahead for good, 77-76.
 
Cousins fell a rebound shy of registering a double-double, 12 points and nine boards.
 
Williams gave the Bison a double-digit advantage with more than eight minutes before intermission, 24-14. North Carolina Central fought back, but HU held a four-point lead at the break, 35-31.
 
NCCU (10-9, 4-1 MEAC) shot 50-percent (31-of-62) from the floor but had 20 turnovers. Four Eagles reached double figures, led by Raasean Davis with 19 points. Gardiner, Jr. added 17 points in a losing effort.
 
Monday (Jan. 22), Howard hosts conference-leading North Carolina A&T State, who is one of two squads unbeaten in league play, inside The Burr. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
"They're another physical team," Nickelberry stated. "Their post guy [Femi Olujobi] is one the best in the league. We got to do what we do in stopping him."
 
Monday is Organization Night where the first 300 students get pizza. All organizations are invited to come out and support the Bison.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.