PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (January 27, 2018) – Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University Men's Basketball team picked up its first conference road win at Maryland Eastern Shore, 85-75, inside the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
 
Overall, the Bison (6-17, 3-4 MEAC) shot 54-percent (30-of-56) from the field and 70-percent (14-of-20) from the foul line despite freshman RJ Cole and sophomore Charles Williams playing limited minutes in the first half.
 
"We hung in there in the first half," said Nickelberry. "[CJ] Williams in foul trouble and [RJ] Cole hurt his ankle and we had to sit him for nine minutes. I give the other guys credit. They hung in there and they kept it manageable."
 
Howard outscored the Hawks by 15 after intermission, 46-31.
 
Cole led the way with a game-high 28 points, including 19 after intermission. The New Jersey native also recorded six boards and three dimes in the victory.
 
Williams inches closer towards the 1,000-point plateau, finishing with 19 points. The Virginia product is only 11 points away from reaching the milestone.
 
"I think we have the best backcourt in the league," Nickelberry continued. "They took over. They made big shots and that's what you suppose to do. Once those two get rolling, it's hard to stop. I just get out of the way and let them play."
 
Maryland Eastern Shore's Miryne Thomas connected on a jumper and put the Hawks ahead, 57-50, at the 13:01 remaining. Howard fought back and went on a 15-4 spurt and took their first advantage with more than nine minutes left, 65-61.
 
Both squads were deadlocked at 71 with less than five minutes remaining until Howard closed out the game on a 14-4 run, 85-75.
 
Newcomer Kyle Foster had 13 points off the bench, including 11 in the first half.
 
McIntosh found Thomas on an alley oop dunk and put the Hawks ahead 18-9 at the 13:59 mark in the first half. Maryland Eastern Shore controlled the first half, not letting Howard get the upper hand.
 
Freshman Zion Cousins cut the deficit to one, 33-32, but the Hawks would keep HU at bay. Howard trailed at the break, 44-39.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore (5-18, 1-7 MEAC) shot 50-percent (29-of-58) from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. Thomas and McIntosh each finished with 17 points in the loss.
 
On Feb. 3, HU men host Florida A&M in a rematch inside The Burr, followed by a trip to Baltimore where the Morgan State Bears await (Feb. 5). Saturday's contest starts 4 p.m. while Monday's showdown begins 7:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.