January 11, 2019 --- The Howard University women's basketball team (8-7, 1-1 MEAC) will host the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (8-5, 1-0 MEAC) at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12.

Last Timeout
The Bison dropped their most recent MEAC game to the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks, 80-72, inside of W.P. Hytche Center on January 7. Junior Imani Bryant led the team with 16 points on six-of-nine shooting. She added a game high 14 rebounds. Sophomore Jayla Thornton knocked down five-of-10 three-pointers and finished with 15 points. Classmate Tariah Johnson added 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Game Preview
The 8-7 Bison are seeking to avenge their loss at Eastern Shore this week. "We need to have a better focus defensively. We let one player beat us the other night and that just can't happen. We have to get back to defending the entire game and getting stops consistently," said Howard head coach Ty Grace. 

Howard is averaging 70.4 points per games. Three Bison are averaging double-digit points per game. Junior Sarah Edmond is at the top of the pack with 15.9 ppg, followed by Jayla Thornton with 14.0 ppg and freshman Krislyn Marsh with 10.5 ppg. Marsh is the team's rebound leader, averaging 8.1 rpg. Junior Ayonna Williams has the team's most steals with 27, followed by Sarah Edmond with 25. 

After snapping a three-game road losing streak, the Wildcats won their MEAC opening game against North Carolina Central, 67-50. MEAC preseason player of the year, Angel Golden scored 21 points. She's averaging 20.2 points per game thus leading the team in scoring. Bethune-Cookman is 19-1 when Golden scores 20 or more points. "Angel is a great player and aggressive scorer. We know she will be looking to take most of their shots so we definitely need to limit her touches and make shots difficult for her," said coach Grace. "She is a relentless player. It will be a collective team effort defensively." 

The team is averaging 65.8 points per game and holding their opponents to 63.8 ppg. The Wildcats lead the conference with its .398 field goal percentage. The Wildcats were predicted to finish 2nd in the conference with 271 votes, eight of those for first place recognition. The Wildcats are led by the reigning, three-time MEAC coach of the year Vanessa Blair-Lewis. Blair-Lewis is in her ninth year at Bethune-Cookman.

In the last meeting between the Wildcats and Bison, Howard fell in overtime, 59-55.

Promotions
The Howard University athletic department will offer complimentary tickets to men's and women's basketball games for furloughed federal employees. The offer is available for all regular season home men's and women's basketball games during the government shutdown. The offer may be redeemed only on the day of the game at the box office in Burr Gym. Federal employees are limited to two complimentary tickets per contest and must show a valid government ID. This offer is based on availability.

Upcoming Schedule
The Bison will host the Morgan State Bears on January 14 in Burr Gym at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit, the Howard Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

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.