WASHINGTON (January 6, 2018) – Freshman RJ Cole and sophomore Charles Williams combined for 62 points, but Bethune-Cookman (BCU) slipped by the Howard University Men's Basketball in overtime, 92-87. The contest took place on the campus of Trinity Washington University.
 
HU shot a respectable 45-percent (30-of-67) from the floor, including 55-percent (16-of-29) from beyond the arc.
 
Cole finished with a game-high 32 points, eight dimes, and two boards after playing all 45 minutes. Williams netted 30 points on 50-percent (12-of-24) shooting in a losing effort.

Despite another solid shooting performance, the Bison were unable to keep BCU off the glass and paint. Bethune-Cookman scored 52 points inside the paint while tallying 25 second chance points.
 
"Bethune is a very talented and physical team," said Howard Men's Basketball head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "They lead the conference in offensive rebounds and we saw that today. These young guys fought, we just didn't get it done."
 
With under 10 minutes remaining, Williams connected on a trey ball and extended Howard's advantage to double digits, 69-59.
 
BCU battled back and trimmed the margin down to two, 74-72, with 4:17 left in the contest. HU answered with a quick 6-0 spurt, 80-72, but Bethune-Cookman finished the second half with a 10-2 run to force OT, 82-82.
 
In overtime, Cole put Howard ahead with a pair of freebies, 84-82, but BCU fought back and took the lead after a layup from Houston Smith, 86-85, at the 3:18 mark. From that point on, Bethune-Cookman never relinquished the lead.
 
Freshman Zion Cousins registered a team-high 10 boards, six points, and two rejections in the loss.

Williams tied the contest with a three-point play, 13-13, at the 14:45 mark in the first half. BCU responded and went on a 14-6 run, capped off by free throws from Isaiah Bailey, 27-19.
 
HU came back and scored eight unanswered to tie the game with less than six before intermission, 27-27. Both squads went back-and-forth, but the Bison earned the upper hand and held a three-point advantage at the break.
 
For BCU (7-9, 2-0 MEAC), they had four Wildcats reach double-figures. Soufiyane Diakite notched a double-double, recording 21 points and 13 rebounds. Off the bench, Isaiah Bailey added 22 points in the victory.
 
Tuesday (Jan. 9), Howard continues its rivalry with Hampton in the Battle of the Real HU. Game-time is slated for 7:30 p.m. and Monday's promotion is White Out.

"We're going to get ourselves together," Nickelberry continued. "We'll be ready for Hampton."
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.