Coach Ty Grace and the Howard University women's basketball team came up short, 86-81, against non-conference opponent, Siena College tonight.

The Bison led for most of the game, but were unable to hold on down the stretch. Sophomore Jayla Thornton and junior Sarah Edmond got the Bison off to a strong start, taking a 28-16 lead iedafter the first quarter. Thornton scored nine points and Edmond added seven points as both carry the Bison offensively to 54-42 lead at the half. At one point they led by as many as 15 points.

"I give them the green light to go score and that's what they do, but you know we have to guard people," said Grace after the game. "We can't score 27 and 23 and then give up 21, 11, 17 and 18. So we have to buckle down defensively and learn as the game arises to make adjustments defensively."

Entering the fourth quarter, Howard led by 12 as Siena began chipping away at the lead. With 7:05 to go, Sabrina Piper hit a three pointer  to pull Siena within five, 72-67. With 5:17 to go in regulation, the score was 77-74.
Piper knocked down her third three of the quarter with 4:06 to go, which cut the Bison lead to 79-77. She scored again, hitting a jumper with 3:23 to play which put the Bison behind.

"We had a lack of focus defensively and a lot of gaps in the game where we just weren't paying attention to where shooters were and switching when we needed to, so there was just a lack of focus on the defensive end and in every quarter of the game pretty much," Grace said.

Howard placed three players in double figures, led by Edmond with a game high 27 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Thornton added 23 points and six rebounds. Freshman Krislyn Marsh had a double double with 12 points and 13 rebounds  (seven offensive).

Siena was led by Maddie Sims, who finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Amari Anthony added a double double of her own with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Piper finished with 16 points and Deja Rawls added 14 points.
The Bison continue their season on Sunday (Nov.25) when they travel to Teaneck, New Jersey to take on Fairleigh Dickinson. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m.


About Howard University Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.