BALTIMORE (February 5, 2018) – Howard University Men's Basketball team saw its four-game winning streak come to an end at Morgan State, 97-61, inside the Hill Field House.
 
Howard was unable to find their rhythm, shooting below 39-percent (20-of-52) from the floor.
 
"They came out and jumped on us," said Howard Head Coach Kevin Nickelberry. "We didn't make shots tonight. [CJ] Williams struggled early, and we had foul trouble. This was the first time we had to go deep into our bench all year. This is probably our worst game shooting and putting the ball in the basket. We just got to learn from this and keep playing."
 
Despite the loss, freshman RJ Cole had an incredible game, dropping a game-high 30 points, four boards and four dimes.
 
"He was what we thought he was going to be," Nickelberry stated on Cole's performance. "We didn't have enough other guys putting the ball in the basket. You just can't win with only one guy putting the ball in the basket."
 
Overall, three Bison fouled out. Charles Williams, who reached the 1,000-point club against Florida A&M, finished with nine points, three rebounds, and two dimes in a losing effort.
 
Cole connected on a trey ball and pulled the Bison within six at the 9:23 mark in the first half, 25-19, but HU would not get any closer. From that point on, MSU took control and closed the period on a 28-8 run.
 
Morgan State reached the foul line 31 times and shot over 90-percent (28-of-31). Tiwian Kendley led all Bears with 27 points, including 12-of-13 from the charity stripe. Phillip Carr, MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, produced a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.
 
"We knew [Phillip] Carr and Tiwain [Kendley] were good, but the other guys around them made shots tonight," Nickelberry continued. "We didn't do a great job handling their runs on the road. It's one game, but we have to learn from this."
 
Thursday (Feb. 8), Howard returns to The Burr where they host Hampton in the next chapter of the Battle of the Real HU. Game-time is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.