WASHINGTON (February 26, 2018) – Coach Ty Grace and the Howard University Women's Basketball struggled to keep the Norfolk State (NSU) Spartans off the glass as they came up short in overtime, 59-53, in their home finale.
 
Howard (11-17, 7-8 MEAC) was led by sophomore Imani Bryant, who finished with a double-double (15 rebounds and 11 points) while rejecting three shots. Classmate Sarah Edmond added 10 points in a losing effort.
 
Howard started the second half strong, building a 10-point lead, 38-28, with 5:51 left in the half as Norfolk State struggled to knock down any shots; however, the Bison were unable to add to their advantage.
 
NSU began to cut away at the deficit as they dominated the glass and got some easy second chance buckets. For the game, the Spartans outrebounded the Bison 64-52, including a 24-12 advantage on the offensive glass.
 
Norfolk State's Raven Russell made a layup with 1:28 left in regulation to put NSU up by four, 50-46. Sophomore Jayla Myles responded with a layup of her own to pull the Bison within two, 50-48.
 
After the Spartans' Kayla Roberts missed a three-pointer with five seconds left, Ayonna Williams took the inbound pass and drove along the baseline for the layup to tie the game up with .3 seconds remaining.
 
HU forced the Spartans into back-to-back turnovers to start the overtime period but were unable to capitalize off those miscues.
 
With 3:36 left in OT, the Spartans' Gabrielle Swinson scored the first points of the period off a layup to give Norfolk State a two-point lead that they would not be relinquish. NSU outscored the Bison 9-3 in the overtime session.

NSU (18-9, 11-4 MEAC) had three players finish with a double-double: Swinson (10 points and 10 rebounds); Alexys Long (11 rebounds and 10 points); and Roberts (13 points and 12 rebounds).
 
Norfolk State took a 10-point lead with 7:27 remaining in the first half before Howard fought back to take a 27-26 lead at halftime.
 
Howard concludes the regular season by traveling to Baltimore to take on Coppin State Thursday (March 1). Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
HU begins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament play March 5.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.