Coach Ty Grace and the Howard University women's basketball team overcame a slow start to blow out the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders 77-57 in the home opener at Burr Gymnasium.

Howard (2-0, 0-0 MEAC) started the game slowly as NJIT took a 7-3 lead with 4:47 to go in the first quarter. They missed some shots early and committed several turnovers. That led to the Highlanders taking an 11-10 lead after the first quarter. "We did start off really slow, the shots weren't falling, so whenever that happens, we always emphasize the defense. I think our defense rattled them a little bit, and we started picking up the tempo that way, so it definitely changed the momentum of the game," said Coach Ty.

But the Bison didn't panic and instead continued to force NJIT into turning the ball over. NJIT committed 30 turnovers for the game, which led to 33 Howard points. "We definitely always talk about pressuring people, especially if they don't have the best ball handlers so our guards do a good job athletically, getting up on people and understanding angles," said Coach Ty. "We just wanted to press them the whole game so we wore them down, and that's exactly what happened. They started throwing the ball away, getting tired, little fatigued, and we took advantage of that."

At the break, Howard led 26-22. Junior forward Star Fitzgerald-Greer got the Bison going in the second half as she knocked down two three pointers. Fitzgerald-Greer finished with 12 points and registered 3-of-6 shots from behind the arc. Her ability to stretch the floor helped open up room for other players to operate and they capitalized. Junior Sarah Edmond benefited from the extra space to finish with a team-high 18 points.
"Star definitely stretches the defense, she's an unconventional big, being 6'3", the ability to step out and shoot like that, definitely is an advantage for us. Since she stretches the defense, people don't look for her in those situations, but moving forward she's definitely going to get scouted a lot better, knowing that she can knock them like that," said Coach Ty.

The Bison also got a lot of production from their bench. Howard finished with 34 bench points, while NJIT got just five points from their reserves. Sophomore Jayla Thornton scored 15 points off the bench and classmate Kelsie Jacobs added 11 points. "We always talk about balance and everybody getting involved, whoever's on the floor at practice, everybody needs to contribute," said Coach Ty. "We talk about contribution and being productive when you're on the court and they definitely took advantage of their opportunities tonight. So I'm proud of them."

Kelly Guarino scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Highlanders and Tatianna Torres finished with a double-double, 12 points and 10 boards.

The Bison continue their season on Monday (Nov. 12) when they travel to Williamsburg to take on William & Mary.

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.