WASHINGTON (November 7, 2018) – Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University men's basketball team used a second half run to pull away from the Washington Adventist Shock (WAU), 115-91, in the season opener at The Burr.
 
Redshirt junior Chad Lott (Shreveport, La.) got the Bison going with 18 first half points as they took a 46-40 halftime lead. After intermission, he picked up where he left off and finished with a game-high 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting while adding eight rebounds and four assists, showing why the Bison brought him in as transfer a year ago.
 
"He gave us a slight lead," said Nickelberry. "Obviously, without RJ [Cole] and CJ [Charles Williams], and Ray [Raymond Bethea, Jr.] struggling in the first half, he had to carry us. And that's we brought him here to do is be that third scorer, and I'm excited to see what those three can do together."
 
Both, Bethea, Jr. (Atlantic City, N.J.) and fellow classmate Andre Toure (Paris, France), started their college debuts and showcased their potential in a big way. The two freshman finished in double figures, Toure scored 14 points and Bethea added 12 points in the victory.
 
"They had their moments where they struggled," Nickelberry added. "But they both also had some special moments. Ray shooting the ball and getting out in transition and Andre [Toure] is an elite athlete, great defender, gets out in transition, and he made some highlight plays that we haven't seen in Burr in a couple years. The future is really bright for them."
 
After sitting for much of the first half, sophomore RJ Cole (Union, N.J.) began to find his rhythm, and show why he was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Player of the Year. The Jersey native finished with 22 points and eight assists.
 
"Obviously, when RJ got back in the second half, he showed why he was the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year because he's the difference," Nickelberry commented. "[Him] shooting and passing the basketball, him and Chad [Lott] together were able to carry us and get other guys involved."
 
Cole and Lott helped the Bison put the game away midway through the second half. Howard led 58-48 with under 16 minutes remaining until they put away Washington Adventist with an 18-5 run over the next four minutes.
 
For WAU, Charles Vines and Therence Mayimba led the way, each scoring 18 points in a losing effort.

HU reached the century mark for the first time since December 2015 where they defeated UMBC, 103-93, inside the Burr.
 
The Bison continue their season Sunday (Nov. 11) when they host Central Penn. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at The Burr.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.