WASHINGTON (November 13, 2018) – For the first time since the 1979-80 season, the Howard University Men's Basketball team will start the new year 3-0 after cruising past Regent, 108-51, at Burr Gymnasium.
 
In that year, the Bison finished 21-7 (8-1 MEAC) and went on to win their first ever Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship under head coach A.B. Williamson.
 
HU dominated both ends of the court, shooting nearly 49-percent (40-of-82) from the floor while limiting the Royals to under 28-percent (22-of-80) from the field.
 
"It wasn't really about Regent tonight, but more about us," said Howard Men's Basketball head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "We played a lot of guys tonight and created the tempo."
 
Howard got out in transition, scoring 22 fast break points, while turning 25 turnovers into 31 points.
 
In the contest, 13 Bison contributed in the scoring column, led by MEAC Preseason Player of the Year RJ Cole (Union, N.J.) and Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection Charles Williams (Richmond, Va.). Cole had a game-high 20 points, seven dimes, six boards, and three steals in 19 minutes of action whereas Williams added 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and three steals in the win.
 
"We can play a lot of people," Nickelberry added. "We were able to wear them down. We entered our second wave of guys that had a lot of energy, especially Zion Cousins, Savior [Akuwovo Ogheneyole] and Kyle Foster."
 
Off the bench, HU posted 52 points. Foster (Hampton, Va.) and newcomer Langston Gaither (Alexandria, Va.) had 10 points apiece while Ogheneyole chipped in nine points and eight rebounds.
 
Howard controlled the glass all night, 62-45, led by Cousins with a game-best 11 boards in the victory.
 
For Regent, Andrew Aiken had a team-high 11 points on 50-percent (5-of-10) in the loss.
 
Friday (Nov. 16), HU goes to Amherst, Mass. for their first true road test of the season against UMass. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.