BALTIMORE (March 1, 2018) – Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University Men's Basketball team built momentum going into next week's conference tourney as they knocked off Coppin State (CSU) on the road, 78-71.
 
HU (10-22, 7-9 MEAC) shot 45-percent (29-of-65) from the floor, including 42-percent (11-of-26) from beyond the arc.
 
"We made some shots and got some stops," said Nickelberry. "They got hot early in our zone so we went man-to-man. RJ [Cole] and CJ [Charles Williams] were unbelievable, but Kyle [Foster] made some shots. We made some plays. RJ got into foul trouble and they made a run, but we held them at bay."
 
Sophomore Charles Williams and freshman RJ Cole were the lone Bison to reach double-figures, combining for 54 points. Williams had a game-high 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-6 from long range. Cole posted a double-double, finishing with 25 points and 10 assists in the victory.
 
Junior Cameron Lewis made an old-fashion three-point play and gave the Bison a 10-point advantage in the early second half, 47-37. Howard held a 12-point lead on multiple occasions, but the Eagles refused to go away.
 
Coppin State gradually chipped away at the deficit and found themselves deadlocked with less than 10 minutes remaining, 56-56.
 
CSU's Chad Andrews-Fulton put the Eagles ahead, but it was short lived as Williams connected on a trey ball at the 6:54 mark, 61-60.
 
With both squads tied at 64, the Bison made clutch plays down the stretch to separate themselves. HU outscored Coppin in the final four minutes, 14-7.
 
"We were able to finish the game," Nickelberry continued. "We've had similar situations on the road where we were unable to finish, but we made some big plays and shots down the stretch."
 
Howard won the rebounding battle, 45-30, while scoring 19 second chance points. Newcomer Zion Cousins led the way, grabbing a game-high 10 boards.
 
"Jalen [Jones] and Zion [Cousins] did a great job rebounding," Nickelberry added. "Cam [Cameron Lewis] was fighting in there, it was a collective effort."
 
CSU's Taqwain Drummond made a freebie and gave the Eagles a six-point lead in the first half, 17-11. Howard responded, scoring 13 unanswered and taking a seven-point advantage, 24-17.
 
Coppin State fought back and tied the contest with a 7-0 spurt, 24-24. HU answered again with a 10-0 spurt of their own, 34-24. Howard entered halftime leading, 37-33.
 
CSU (5-26, 5-11 MEAC) had three Eagles reach double figures. Karonn Davis produced a team-high 28 points, nine dimes, and eight rebounds. Lamar Morgan added 14 points while Drummond netted 10 points in the loss.
 
Howard's next stop is the MEAC Basketball Tournament in Norfolk, Va. The six-day event (March 5-10) will take place inside the Norfolk Scope Arena. Date and time is to be determined.

"I am proud of these guys," Nickelberry stated. "I believe in them and they believe in each other. I'm looking forward to the tournament next week."
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.